Cebu, Philippines — Cebu Fifth District Representative Duke Frasco has clarified that the Provincial Government of Cebu — not his congressional office nor the Municipality of Liloan — bears the responsibility for funding the Liloan Children’s Hospital (LCH), a project he authored under Republic Act 11886.
Frasco’s statement on August 11, 2025, came after Governor Pamela S. Baricuatro publicly urged him to prioritize the completion of the children’s hospital before calling for upgrades to the Danao City Provincial Hospital.
The Legal Basis: Republic Act 11886
Frasco pointed to RA 11886, enacted on June 29, 2022, as the legal foundation of the Liloan Children’s Hospital. The law establishes the hospital under the direct control and supervision of the Cebu Provincial Government, making it responsible for its funding, operations, and oversight.
“This means the operations, management, and oversight of the hospital rest with the Provincial Government and not with my office as congressman or the Municipality of Liloan,” Frasco said.
This clarification underscores the division of responsibilities between national lawmakers and local government units (LGUs). While congressmen can author enabling laws and secure national funds, the management and operational costs fall under the provincial government’s mandate.
National Funding Secured: P50 Million for 2025
Despite his clarification, Frasco assured the public that he is actively working to accelerate the hospital’s construction. He announced that he had secured ₱50 million from the Department of Health (DOH) for 2025, with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) expected to release the funds before September.
The congressman estimated that the first building and groundworks alone would cost around ₱200 million, highlighting the need for both national and provincial governments to pool resources.
According to the DOH, specialized hospitals are vital investments that require long-term financial planning due to their high equipment and manpower costs (DOH).
Why a Pediatric Hospital in Cebu Matters
The Liloan Children’s Hospital is envisioned as a specialized pediatric facility patterned after the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City. Once completed, it will:
- Provide specialized care for children across the Visayas, reducing reliance on Manila-based facilities.
- Ease the financial burden on families, who often spend heavily on transportation and lodging when seeking treatment in Metro Manila.
- Strengthen Cebu’s capacity to serve as a medical hub for the region, complementing its existing hospitals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that access to specialized pediatric care significantly improves child survival rates, especially in regions with high infant and child mortality (WHO).
Political Exchange with Gov. Baricuatro
The clarification came after Gov. Baricuatro’s remarks urging Frasco to prioritize the LCH before lobbying for upgrades to the Danao City Provincial Hospital.
While the governor did not oppose the Liloan project, her statement suggested that the province’s focus should be on ensuring the children’s hospital is operational before expanding resources elsewhere.
Frasco, for his part, framed his response as a matter of governance structure rather than political tension, reminding that funding accountability lies with the Capitol, not his congressional office.
Calls for Inclusion in the Provincial Development Plan
Frasco appealed to Gov. Baricuatro to formally include the hospital in the Cebu Provincial Development Plan (PDP) and earmark funds for it in the 2026 annual budget.
Such inclusion would institutionalize funding for the hospital, ensuring that allocations are not subject to annual political debates. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has repeatedly emphasized that health projects integrated into development plans are more likely to receive consistent and sufficient funding (NEDA).
Estimated Costs and Timeline
While ₱50 million has been secured, the hospital’s total completion cost could exceed ₱500 million, given its specialized nature. Costs include:
- Civil works and building construction
- Specialized pediatric equipment
- Training for healthcare staff and pediatric specialists
- Operational budgets for the first few years
If consistently funded, construction could be completed within three to five years, potentially making LCH the first provincial children’s hospital outside Metro Manila.
Impact on Families and Healthcare Access
Currently, families in Cebu and neighboring provinces often travel to Manila for complex pediatric cases, from congenital heart diseases to cancer treatment. Travel and accommodation expenses can run into hundreds of thousands of pesos — an unbearable cost for many low- and middle-income families.
The LCH could bridge this gap by making advanced pediatric care geographically and financially accessible to Visayan families.
Community and Public Sentiment
Parents, especially those with children needing specialized care, welcomed Frasco’s efforts but expressed concern over funding delays.
“Nindot kaayo ang plano pero kinahanglan gyud nga ma-prioritize. Daghan kaayo mga ginikanan nga lisod kaayo og gasto para sa treatment sa Manila,” said Ana, a mother from Danao.
(“The plan is very good but it really needs to be prioritized. Many parents struggle financially to get treatment in Manila.”)
Healthcare professionals in Cebu also highlighted that the hospital could serve as a training center for pediatric specialists, reducing the shortage of child health experts in the Visayas.
Conclusion
The clarification from Rep. Duke Frasco sets the record straight on the funding responsibility for the Liloan Children’s Hospital: while he authored the law, the Cebu Provincial Government holds the mandate to finance, manage, and operate the facility.
Yet, by securing ₱50 million from the DOH, Frasco has demonstrated that national support can supplement provincial obligations. For the hospital to rise on schedule, however, it must be integrated into Cebu’s Provincial Development Plan and consistently funded in the annual budget.
The LCH stands as a beacon of hope for families across the Visayas. If realized, it could redefine pediatric healthcare in the region, ensuring that children no longer need to cross the sea to access the treatment they deserve.
