President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday turned over more than PHP147 million to the Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital (DDOPH) – Montevista to augment its medical equipment.
Marcos handed over the assistance during his visit to the DDOPH – Montevista, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen public healthcare services.
During the launch of the Bawat Bayan Makikinabang at the Provincial Capitol Compound in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, Marcos said he visited the provincial hospital to inspect damage due to recent earthquakes and check the newly completed hospital wing, which had been scheduled for inauguration earlier.
Marcos said improving access to healthcare remains one of his administration’s top priorities, with efforts focused not only on treating illness but also on preventive healthcare.
“Ang kasabihan nga iyan sa English (There’s an English saying), ‘An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.’ Kaya’t mas maganda ‘pag inuunahan natin. Kaya po via healthcare po ay napakalaking priyoridad sa administrasyong ito (That’s why it’s better if we prevent illnesses before they happen. Healthcare is one of this administration’s highest priorities),” he said.
“Sa administrasyong ito, napakahalaga para sa amin na maganda ang pag-alaga sa mga nagkakasakit sa ating mga kababayan. At hindi lamang sa mga nagkakasakit. Inuunahan po natin ngayon. Hindi na natin inaantay na magkasakit (In this administration, it is very important for us to ensure that our fellow Filipinos who are sick receive proper care. But our focus is not only on those who are already ill. We now prioritize preventive measures instead of waiting for people to become sick),” Marcos added.
Marcos cited the government’s programs on immunization, nutrition, and early medical consultations as key initiatives to prevent diseases and ensure timely treatment for patients.
Davao de Oro Governor Raul Mabanglo welcomed the assistance, saying the medical equipment would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare services to residents.
Mabanglo also appealed for continued national government support to further expand and upgrade the provincial hospital to accommodate more patients and improve access to healthcare across the province.
He said strengthening healthcare facilities would reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for medical treatment, helping save lives and build more resilient communities.
Marcos’ visit came after the hospital sustained damage during the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8.
With a capacity of 160 beds, the hospital has been experiencing increasing demand, serving an average of 263 inpatients, 205 outpatients, and 105 emergency room patients daily.
To help meet this growing need, the government funded the construction of a new medical ward, which began admitting patients on June 6 and now accommodates 61 patients.
During the visit, Marcos also witnessed the discharge of a patient who received medical treatment under the Zero Balance Billing (ZBB) program, which allows qualified patients to access healthcare services without paying hospitalization costs.
From July 2025 to June 2026, a total of 81,493 patients at DDOPH-Montevista benefited from the program.
The hospital serves as the primary referral hospital for residents of Montevista, Monkayo, Compostela, New Bataan, Maragusan, Laak, and nearby municipalities.
The government aims to upgrade the hospital from a Level 1 to a Level 2 facility by 2027 to further expand its services and capacity. (PNA)