Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bohol approved on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, a resolution supporting House Bill No. 9472 seeking to convert the present Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) into Gov. Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex (GCGMSMC).
The said bill, if approved into a law, will be the basis for the establishment and operation of Phase 1 of GCGMH in Malayo Norte and Malayo Sur, Cortes town.
The GCGMH’s campus in Tagbilaran City will continue to operate but will be focusing services as an ambulatory care center.
In a committee report submitted by the Committee and Health and Public Sanitation chaired by Dr. Elpidio L. Bonita, Atty. Abelon Damalerio of the Office of Cong. Chatto said House Bill No. 9472 introduced by First District Congressman Edgar M. Chatto will pave the way for the operation of both hospital facilities under one common head while having a separate medical center chief. One
chief will manage the Cortes campus and other leader will head the Tagbilaran campus of the GCGMH.
This means that the GCGMH in Cortes will be named as a “Multi-Specialty Complex”. It will provide services rendered by health professionals in several medical specialties.
Moreover, Tagbilaran City campus of GCGMH is going to focus on outpatient services.
Damalerio said the bill was already approved in the House of Representatives and is now referred to the Senate for a committee hearing chaired by Senator Sonny Angara.
Furthermore, Damalerio said the Senate is waiting for the resolution of support from the SP, as one of the requirements, before the bill will be enacted as a law.
The said bill will amend Republic Act (RA) 11324 authored by then Cong. Relampagos, which provided for the increase in the bed capacity of the GCGMH to 525 beds in 2019.
At present, GCGMH is now a level three hospital with specialty centers and training facilities.
