𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐋’𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐓 ‘𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘𝐀 𝐂𝐄𝐁𝐔’ 𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐃𝐄
True to the Capitol’s priority agenda of improving healthcare services for Cebuanos, the pilot episode of “iStorya Cebu,” a weekly online program that discusses the Capitol’s projects and programs, focused on the administration’s healthcare initiatives and gains.
The 40-minute episode was dedicated to the efforts of the administration of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro to strengthen the province’s healthcare system, which has suffered neglect in recent years.
Hosted by Provincial Information Officer Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong, the program featured the Capitol’s Piso Public Health Consultant, Dr. Nikki Catalan, as its first guest. The episode was filmed and broadcast live at the newly renovated PIO studio at the Capitol.
During the discussion, Dr. Catalan outlined key improvements already underway, including additional staffing, procurement of new equipment, and increased budget allocations for healthcare infrastructure slated for next year.
“We’re a work in progress. We are getting there because it really takes time to undo and rebuild something that was broken,” Dr. Catalan said.
She explained that government procurement laws, coupled with the administration’s due diligence, have contributed to the slow pace of upgrades, as officials aim to ensure the acquisition of quality facilities for long-term impact.
Dr. Catalan also shared that her mother, Gov. Baricuatro, has been growing impatient with the pace of improvements, noting that the governor consistently pushes for faster implementation.
𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐓𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐒
“In healthcare, every minute counts because it’s someone’s life on the line. It’s someone’s mother, it’s someone’s father. Dili gyod ka makaingon nga, ‘huwat lang sa, ha’. Kon maunsa na, blood is on your hands. Mao nang priority gyod na,” Dr. Catalan said.
She further revealed that 2026 is expected to be a banner year for Cebu’s healthcare sector, with the administration prioritizing the construction of additional buildings and facilities, alongside the digitalization of hospital data. This initiative aims to give the Capitol real-time access to on-the-ground conditions to support data-driven decision-making.
“The ultimate goal for the healthcare system in Cebu is not to be a Mona Lisa hospital anymore, that they lie there and die there. That’s what we try to improve and make sure nga if mosud sila in a Capitol-run hospital, they’ll have faith and trust nga maayo sila,” she said. | CAPITOL PIO
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