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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cebu solon Frasco seeks local support for pro-healthcare bill

Cebu solon Frasco seeks local support for pro-healthcare bill

Published Aug 12, 2025 10:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco is appealing to Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro and the Cebu Provincial Board to support the passage of his pet bill that would greatly improve healthcare in the province.
Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco (Rep. Frasco's office)
Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco (Rep. Frasco's office)


Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco is appealing to Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro and the Cebu Provincial Board to support the passage of his pet bill that would greatly improve healthcare in the province.
Frasco recently refiled in the current 20th Congress House Bill (HB) No.3313 or “An Act Upgrading the Cebu Provincial Hospital in the City of Danao, Province of Cebu, Into a Level II General Hospital, to be Known as the North Cebu Medical Center".
The measure seeks to increase the hospital's bed capacity, as well as upgrade its professional health care services and facilities, it also authorizes the Increase of its Medical Personnel.
Frasco says his bill is a continuation of his long-standing advocacy to improve healthcare access and services not only for the people in the fifth district, but for all municipalities in Northern Cebu.
“This is not just about improving the hospital, it is about investing in the future of healthcare for my constituents, while also being fiscally prudent," said the former House deputy speaker.
As he champions accessible and inclusive healthcare for his constituents, Frasco urges Baricuatro and the Cebu Provincial Board to rally behind the passage of HB No. 3313 and help bring the vision of North Cebu Medical Center (NCMC) into reality.
The bill is anticipated to be read on its first reading and referred to the Committee on Health this week. Frasco hopes that support from the provincial government will finally allow this long-overdue measure to move forward.
If passed into law, HB No. 3313 will institutionalize the provincial hospital under the Department of Health (DOH), thereby securing direct funding from the national government. This will relieve the Cebu Provincial Government of financial responsibility for its operations, allowing them to redirect resources to other vital programs and services.
The bill also seeks to address the overcrowding problems at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, a tertiary-level hospital that currently serves patients from across the entire province and even neighboring regions. With VSMMC frequently operating beyond capacity, the upgraded Danao hospital would serve as a vital healthcare facility in the north.
“By establishing a fully capable Level II hospital in Northern Cebu, we will help decongest VSMMC and ensure that patients from distant municipalities will not have to travel far just to get life-saving treatment,” Frasco added.
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