P92-M renovation of gov't hospital emergency room set
Published Aug 13, 2025 05:18 pm
BACOLOD CITY – The Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, an apex hospital of the Department of Health in Negros Island Region, is renovating its emergency room starting next month.
An apex hospital is defined as an end-referral hospital offering specialized services and contracted as a stand-alone facility by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.
CERRADA (Glazyl Masculino)
The CLMMRH is coordinating with private hospitals in this highly-urbanized city to ensure continued emergency services during the renovation.
Dr. Joan Cerrada, CLMMRH medical center chief, said that P92 million has been allocated for the renovation that is expected to take three to four months. “This is for infrastructure alone,” she said.
The project aims to address longstanding issues of overcrowding and improve the quality of care.
Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, who visited the ER recently and met CLMMRH officials, described the situation as dire, with patients waiting on the floor and ambulances lined up outside.
“This isn’t a new issue; it’s been happening for a long time,” he said.
Benitez emphasized the importance of proper coordination and communication before the ER is temporarily closed, especially to guide emergency responders and ambulance drivers on where to bring patients.
“In emergencies, time is of the essence. We need fast, clear, and coordinated responses to ensure patients aren’t shuffled around,” Benitez said.
Cerrada said that around 50 to 55 percent of patients in the ER and outpatient departments are residents here and they currently have 68 ER beds.
The CLMMRH is partnering with the South Bacolod General Hospital and Medical Center, Riverside Medical Center, The Doctors’ Hospital, Bacolod Queen of Mercy, Metro Bacolod Hospital and Medical Center, and Bacolod Adventist Medical Center.
Cerrada said these private institutions have expressed interest in assisting during the renovation.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be signed to formalize the partnership, she added.
Under the agreement, CLMMRH will refer emergency patients to these hospitals, which will reserve a specific number of beds for them.
CLMMRH will cover the costs of care for patients referred during this period. If the treatment exceeds their allocated funds, other sources such as PhilHealth emergency packages, Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), can be tapped.
To avoid delays and confusion, simulation exercises will be conducted involving the City Health Office (CHO), Provincial Health Office (PHO), and emergency responders from this city and Negros Occidental.
Cerrada said that coordination points and focal persons will be stationed in every partner hospital to facilitate communication.
Emergency responders will be required to call CLMMRH first, where the operations center will direct them to the appropriate partner hospital.
She noted that private hospitals have been very cooperative. “This is a win-win situation for everyone,” she said.
Once completed, the renovated ER will prioritize space maximization. Instead of hospital beds, stretcher trolleys will be used to optimize patient movement.
Cerrada acknowledged past criticisms regarding the hospital’s overcrowded facilities, but expressed hope that renovation will lead to better patient outcomes and overall service delivery.
“Our goal is to improve the hospital and ensure we serve the community better,” she said.