Rep. Bingo Matugas visits admitted patients. Local Surigaonon patients can avail of free medical services from Rep. Matugas’ MAIP program.

SIARGAO Island, Philippines — Siargao island’s first hospital, the Siargao Island Medical Center (SIMC), has made remarkable progress since its groundbreaking last February 2023.

The island paradise’s first national hospital is a flagship healthcare project made possible by 1st District Representative Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas II. Rep. Matugas authored and worked for the passing of RA 11500 which upgraded the Siargao District Hospital into a Level II National Hospital.

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RA 11500 was enacted in November 2020, with construction commencing in February 2023. Since then, substantial progress has been achieved as the SIMC steadily advances toward full completion.

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The upgraded SIMC now offers several highly sought-after facilities and services that were previously unavailable at Siargao District Hospital. These include ultrasound machines and ultrasonography services, enhanced laboratory diagnostics, a CT scan, and emergency surgical capabilities.

READ: Dialysis centers to open on Siargao Island with free services for locals

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As of December 2024, construction was completed for these new facilities and they are now operational. New facilities include the state of the art Women’s Center Building, Molecular Laboratory Building, Clinical Laboratory Building, and auxiliary facilities for waste and storage.

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Several existing facilities have also already been upgraded in terms of equipment and personnel such as the new CT Scan Room, the newly enhanced Emergency Room, Delivery Room and Operating Room, the ISO WARD with negative pressure, and the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services Center. The administration building as well as doctors’ quarters and dormitories have also been upgraded.

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Through these advancements, Surigaonons are already able to enjoy the benefits of the upgraded medical center even while completion of the main 3-storey building is still ongoing.

Ongoing developments

SIMC continues to push forward with key developments. The construction and development efforts for the SIMC main 3-storey building have been making steady progress, targeting completion by August 31, 2025.

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Other projects under construction include medical waste treatment facilities, a conference and training center, a solar power system, and the establishment of a road network with an integrated drainage system. These initiatives underscore the center’s commitment to meeting international healthcare standards.

Free Service to the Community

Local residents have already availed of free medical services at the upgraded SIMC, reaffirming Rep. Bingo Matugas’ mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all.

Through Rep. Matugas’ Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program, locals are able to avail of free medical assistance that covers, among others, hospital bills/charges, medical-surgical cases, obstetrics-gynecological cases at risk, laboratory procedures, blood screening and products, drugs and medicines, and professional fees.

Eligibility for free services prioritizes Surigaonon locals, especially those who have little to no visible means of income, ensuring that the Surigaonon people directly benefit from these upgrades.

Dr. Chloe Digal, chief of Siargao Island Medical Center shared that from January to September 2024, about 20,000 patients, both foreign and local, were treated at the SIMC, for both inpatient and outpatient services.

Looking Ahead — more new facilities and a growing workforce

The upgraded facilities promise to introduce new services to the island for hematology, blood chemistry, parasitology, immuno/sero services, and blood station services. Some of these services have already been up and running while others are still undergoing construction and implementation.

Additionally, SIMC plans to expand its workforce with the hiring of additional workforce positions, ensuring the hospital is well-equipped to manage its growing capabilities and patient base. Additional positions for medical professionals are available for doctors, nurses, nursing attendants, medical technologists, pharmacists, and radiologic technologists.

There are also additional positions for non-medical personnel. From a 63-plantilla allowance at Siargao District Hospital, the upgraded Siargao Island Medical Center has a total of 231 positions available. Hiring is still ongoing, with applicants coming from all over the country, hoping to move their medical practice to the country’s surfing capital.

In a news release over the weekend, PISI said it purchased random rebars from hardware stores in Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte, Samal Island, Cotabato City, Pagadian City, and Iligan City on Sept. 9 to 13.

In an announcement Saturday, SSS said the new OIC succeeded its former president, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, who resigned on October 3 to run for a House seat under the SSS-GSIS Pensyonado Partylist.

A Beacon of Hope

“In 2017, even before the pandemic hit, I sought legislation to lift the status of Siargao District Hospital in the Municipality of Dapa. I authored and filed a bill seeking to upgrade it to a Level II General Hospital. The bill addressed its lack of personnel: the hospital needs more doctors, nurses, technicians, and janitors. It also needs more beds and equipment,” shared Rep. Matugas. In November 2020, the passing of RA 11500 brought his vision one step closer to reality.

The Siargao Island Medical Center symbolizes a new era of healthcare for the region. As construction progresses today, the hospital continues to offer vital services, bringing quality healthcare closer to home for the people of Surigao del Norte.

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Stay tuned for further updates as SIMC moves closer to becoming a fully operational beacon of health and wellness for the island.ssbet77

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