The Daanbantayan District Hospital is set for a major expansion as the Cebu Provincial Government begins a P22.4-million infrastructure project aimed at increasing its capacity and preparing the facility for Level 1 hospital classification.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro and Fourth District Rep. Sun Shimura led the groundbreaking ceremony for the project on Saturday, Aug. 22, joined by local and provincial officials.
Capitol Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan said the hospital had only 10 beds when it was still classified as an infirmary in June 2025. Its capacity has since increased to 22 beds, allowing it to serve more patients from Daanbantayan and nearby communities.
The infrastructure package includes a new outpatient department and pharmacy building, dietary building, linen and laundry building, ambulance parking and maintenance building, hazardous waste storage building and morgue.
A covered walkway will also connect the main hospital building to the outpatient department.
Existing facilities will undergo improvements, including the emergency room, laboratory, radiology and business office complex. The project also includes repainting hospital buildings and repairing the perimeter fence.
The expansion is part of the province’s effort to eventually secure Level 1 classification for the hospital.
Under Department of Health standards, a Level 1 hospital must provide basic hospital services, including emergency and outpatient care, surgical facilities and ward or isolation facilities. It must also have clinical services in medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and surgery.
The upgrade will therefore require the hospital to progressively meet requirements for infrastructure, equipment, personnel and services in addition to completing the planned construction.
“These improvements will help prepare the facility for its planned upgrade into a Level 1 hospital as we progressively complete the required infrastructure, equipment, manpower and services,” Catalan said.
Shimura welcomed the development, recalling the limitations of the facility when he was still mayor of Daanbantayan.
“Sauna, Gov, nakahinumdom ko mayor pa ko diri, mag-health board meeting mi, it breaks my heart during that time nga bisan gani og Betadine, panagsa mahutdan pa og stocks kay tungod sa kadaghan pod gyud hospitals sa probinsya. But kani karon is a testament sa imohang saad, and we are very grateful,” he said.
Shimura credited Baricuatro for pursuing the hospital improvements and cited similar developments in other provincial hospitals, including those in Bogo City and Bantayan.
“Indeed, Gov, dako gyud namo kaayo nga pasalamat. It was a promise nga imong gihatag niaging piniliay,” Shimura said.
The expansion is expected to improve access to hospital-based services for residents in northern Cebu and reduce the need for some patients to travel farther for medical care.
Shimura said he looks forward to the hospital securing Level 1 classification, which would allow it to expand its services, including minor surgical procedures.
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