Cebu’s provincial government has installed Dr. Sheila Faciol as Provincial Health Officer II, marking a new phase for the province’s health system with a focus on strengthening facilities, manpower, and community-based services.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro administered Faciol’s oath on May 4 in Pinamungajan.
Faciol previously served as Municipal Health Officer of Pinamungajan for 15 years before taking on provincial and city health roles. She now oversees public health programs and the management of 16 government-run hospitals across Cebu.
Early in her assumption, Faciol said she will support the administration’s priority on health services.
“Health gyud ang priority ni Gov, so of course mo-support ta sa iyahang mga programs,” she said.
She identified hospital improvement as a key priority, particularly in equipment and staffing.
“Topmost gyud is ang improvement sa atoang health facilities, particularly our hospitals—proper equipping, makumpleto ang equipment, ug manpower,” she said.
Faciol said she is currently reviewing staffing gaps across provincial facilities.
“Karon, nag-review pa ko sa atoang staffing, unsa pa’y mga kuwang nato,” she said.
She also emphasized that hospital equipment must be matched with trained personnel to ensure effective use.
Beyond hospital operations, Faciol said the province will pursue long-term capacity building for medical workers, including residency training programs in partnership with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
“It would be best nga ang ilang pag-stay diri naa sad silay training—2-in-1 ba—motabang sila sa system while being trained,” she said.
Faciol also highlighted the role of Rural Health Units as the frontline of community healthcare.
“We work hand-in-hand with the 50 RHUs kay sila gyud ang naa sa grassroots,” she said.
She said her experience at the municipal level will help her better understand the needs of local health offices.
“Ang LGU mo-try gyud ug best to implement programs, but kinahanglan pud sila ug support from higher level like PHO,” she said.
She added that LGUs will need continued support in logistics, medicines, and training to improve service delivery.
“Kinahanglan nato i-capacitate ang atoang RHUs, so hopefully we can provide that,” she said.
Faciol said she is still assessing the province’s health system to determine strengths and gaps that need immediate attention.
“Tan-awon pa nato asa atong strengths ug weaknesses, then tabangan nato ang weaknesses para ma-balance,” she said.
She said the Provincial Health Office will also coordinate with national agencies and partners to strengthen health programs.
“The Provincial Health Office mo-spearhead gyud sa mga programa sa panglawas—not just hospitals but also support to LGUs, RHUs, ug primary care facilities,” she said.
Faciol added that collaboration with the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and other partners will be essential in improving healthcare delivery across Cebu. (SBA)
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