‘Gabriela Mija Kim Medical Center in Kalinga is 75.67% complete; access to medical services will soon be made easier to many of our people’ - Gov. Edduba

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Access to healthcare services in Kalinga is expected to become easier and more efficient as the construction of the Gabriela Mija Kim Medical Center in Tabuk City nears completion.

The medical center, envisioned to be a Level 1 hospital, is being built in Agbannawag, one of the urbanized barangays in the city.

Residents from nearby barangays such as Lacnog and Bulo will no longer need to travel to Bulanao or Dagupan to access basic medical services once the facility is completed.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, a mother from Lacnog said the project would be a big help, especially for parents with sick children like her.

She explained that traveling to Bulanao is far, and transportation can be challenging for families without vehicles, particularly during emergencies.

“Nu siak nga sakitin ti anak na sir ket dakkel nga tulong talaga kenyami dayta maipatpatakder nga center. Medyo adayo gamin Lacnog to Bulanao, sir. Ket kanyami nga addatoy sulinek nagrigat agitartaray karu kanyami nga awan met ti service mi. Maawatan ti parents siguro sir ti kayat ko sawen,” said the mother, who requested anonymity.

The concerns raised by the mother are among those the project aims to address.

According to the Office of Governor James Edduba, the construction of the center has reached 75.67% completion as of April 10, particularly in its structural phase. Finishing works and equipment installation will follow.

Governor Edduba, together with consultant engineer Proceso Bayubay and the project management team, recently conducted an inspection of the ongoing civil works.

Edduba said this will ensure that many of the residents in the nearby area as well as other barangays will have better access to basic medical services and need not travel far to be served.

During the site visit, the progress of the structure was assessed, and necessary requirements and recommendations were identified to ensure that standards are met.