‘I will help complete Kalinga’s new hospital’ — Senator Ejercito

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito has pledged to help fund the completion of Kalinga’s planned new provincial hospital, reaffirming his commitment to improving public healthcare facilities and advancing universal healthcare in the province.

Ejercito made the commitment during his visit to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital in Bulanao, Tabuk City, on October 27, 2026.

He stressed that improving healthcare facilities, particularly provincial hospitals, is essential to the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

“Isa po sa ating mga sinusulong at tinutulak ay mapaganda mga health facilities kasi paano naman nating i-offer ang UHC kung hindi maganda ang facility. Pagkakataon na ang UHC law ay mabigyan ng priority, isa po na ang improvement ng health facility lalo na po yung mga provincial hospital. Yan ang aking commitment sa Kalinga, ako po ay tutulong muli dahil sinimulan na natin dati na ngayon po ay nag babalik tayo para kompletohin natin ang iyong health care facility dito sa kalinga,” Ejercito said.

The senator also vowed to push for improvements to the UHC Act during the remaining two years of his Senate term, including expanded PhilHealth coverage for hospital bills and continued access to free medical checkups and medicines.

“Umaasa naman po kayo na hanggat anjan ako sa senado, ibubuhos ko ito para mapa ganda ang UHC law. Kaya isusulong natin, susulitin na natin yung provincial hospital niyong bago kokompletohin natin, in the next 2 years, hopefully magkaroon tayo ng bagong hospital, isa pang suporta dito sa Kalinga Provincial Hospital,” he added.

Ejercito’s commitment is expected to support the province’s efforts to expand hospital capacity and strengthen the delivery of medical services to Kalinga residents.

Brief background of KPH

KPH currently operates under the provincial government, which shoulders the cost of running the facility. Reports indicate that the hospital has a capacity of only 100 beds, while its operating expenses consume roughly 33 percent of the province’s annual budget, or more than ₱250 million.

The hospital’s capacity was severely strained in September, when its bed occupancy rate reached 278 percent, forcing some patients to stay in corridors and other areas outside regular wards.

The proposed upgrade of KPH into a Level III regional medical center, to be known as the Northern Cordillera Regional Medical Center, is intended to increase its capacity to 300 beds and provide additional funding for specialized personnel, medical equipment, diagnostic services and hospital operations.

The Senate approved the measure on third and final reading in October 2026.