Kalinga Provincial Hospital hires 27 additional doctors amid patient surge

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Kalinga Provincial Hospital (KPH) has hired 27 additional doctors through contract of service (COS) arrangements in response to the surge in patient admissions that has strained the provincial hospital’s capacity.

KPH OIC-Chief of Hospital Dr. Rey Aranca announced the additional hiring on September 30, 2026, following a significant increase in patient admissions, particularly in September.

Aranca said Governor James S. Edduba ordered the renewal of COS contracts, hiring of additional physicians, and continued engagement of medical consultants at KPH during the last quarter of 2026.

The move came after the hospital recorded severe overcrowding, with its bed occupancy rate reaching 278 percent on September 24.

Aranca earlier reported that dengue was the leading cause of admission among children, while respiratory diseases were the top causes of admission among adults.

The additional doctors were hired through a supplemental budget allocated by the Local Finance Committee.

The 27 new physicians include six internists, five surgeons, one orthopedist, six obstetrician-gynecologists, five pediatricians, and four visiting consultants.

Aranca said the new hires will augment the hospital’s existing 29 regular permanent doctors, increasing its medical workforce as KPH continues to manage the growing number of patients.

The additional personnel are expected to help address the hospital’s increased workload and support the delivery of medical services amid the continuing surge in admissions.

‘Know your Doctors’

The newly hired doctors, as revealed by Aranca, include the following:

A. INTERNAL MEDICINE

1. Alunday, Thrisha Nadine M.D.

2. Bagayao, Vanessa, M.D.

3. Dulag, Vaezelle, M.D.

4. Maluyo, Divine Grace M.D.

5. Unista, Jonalyn, M.D.

6. Wacas, Trisha Anne, M.D.

B. SURGERY

1. Aggalao, Kylyn, M.D.

2. Banglagan, Irish M.D.

3. Paringit, Jasmine, M.D.

4. Salang-oy, Kayla Chelsea, M.D.

5. Labagnoy, Riza Paula, M.D.

C. ORTHOPEDICS

1. Abella, Marvin Joshua. M.D.

D. OB-GYNE DEPARTMENT

1. Baguiwan, Joan, M.D.

2. Dapeg, Prescille Mae, M.D.

3. Gumilab, Melowyne Jane, M.D.

4. Monje,Ferahzon. M.D.

5. Pamittan, Mhelayan, M.D.

6. Yasol, Jamo Criselle, M.D.

E. PEDIA DEPT.

1. Agod, Marionette, M.D.

2. Bravo, Olive, M.D.

3. Bugayong, Sherylle Mie, M.D.

4. Llamelo, Hannah Shane, M.D.

5. Zabala, Lerrie Diane, M.D.

F. VISITING CONSULTANTS

1. Pua, Paul- Francis- Oncology

2. Torrado, Michelle Ann- Nephrologist

3. Ulep, Edelgard Michael - EENT

4. Bryner Kob-aron, MD, -EENT

Still in accepting consultants

While there are more doctors now at the KPH, Aranca said the hospital is still accepting visiting specialists through a memorandum of agreement. The visiting consultants needed include intensivist, adult cardiologist, adult pulmonologist, neonatologist, pedia cardiologist, pedia pulmonologist, and orthopedics.