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2September
Bangsamoro Parliament pushes for hospital upgrades in Maguindanao provinces
- Sep 2, 2025
- Taher G. Solaiman
- HITS: 565
Committee Chairperson Hashemi Dilangalen emphasized that these initiatives are crucial for strengthening the region’s healthcare system.
"With better facilities, patients will no longer have to travel far, and doctors will be better equipped to serve," Dilangalen stated.
Specifically, in Maguindanao del Sur, the proposed legislation seeks to establish new 50-bed hospitals in the municipalities of Datu Piang and Talayan, as well as expand the South Upi Municipal Hospital from its current 10-bed capacity to 50 beds. Authors of these bills underscored the urgent need for enhanced healthcare services during the hearing.
MP Froilyn Mendoza, who authored Parliament Bill No. 120 for the South Upi hospital upgrade, highlighted that the existing 10-bed facility is insufficient to meet the healthcare demands of over 60,000 households in the municipality and surrounding areas.
South Upi Vice Mayor Reynalbert Insular echoed this sentiment, pointing out that residents often face travel times exceeding an hour to reach the nearest hospital.
For Datu Piang, MPs Susana Anayatin and Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, proponents of PB No. 147, emphasized the necessity of a public hospital to serve the municipality’s growing population, which currently relies heavily on private clinics.
MP Tawakal Midtimbang, author of PB No. 156, advocated for the creation of a 50-bed Level I hospital in Talayan, calling it an investment in building healthier and stronger communities.
Talayan’s health officer, Dr. Cristopher Val Padilla, also appealed for additional barangay health stations.
Maguindanao del Sur Board Member Walrito Bansigan voiced his support, noting that these hospital upgrades and establishments would help decongest the regional medical center by bringing accessible healthcare services closer to the people.
Meanwhile, two bills focused on the Datu Odin Sinsuat District Hospital were also deliberated upon. These bills aim to upgrade the hospital by increasing its bed capacity from 50 to 100 and to reinforce its status as a district hospital under Republic Act 11330.
Dr. Bai Deevah Eileen Samama, the hospital’s chief, explained that the persistent overcrowding necessitates elevating the facility to Level II.
Further expanding healthcare access, PB No. 233 proposes the establishment of a 25-bed capacity general hospital in the municipality of Buldon. According to the bill's author, MP Suharto Amboldoto, residents in Buldon currently endure travel times exceeding an hour to access medical services.
Local officials from the municipalities of South Upi, Datu Piang, Talayan, Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Buldon uniformly called for the swift passage of these bills, asserting that hospital expansion and construction are crucial to addressing persistent gaps in access to quality healthcare services within their communities.
The Ministry of Health expressed its strong support for these initiatives.
"These facilities will significantly improve health care delivery in our communities,” stated Dr. Ehsan Paudac, chief of the ministry’s human resource division.
The Committee on Health plans to continue its deliberations in the coming weeks, with the goal of passing these important measures within the current parliamentary term, marking a significant step towards enhancing healthcare accessibility and quality for the people of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
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