Former governor and congressman Edgar Chatto, Gallares Cortes chief Dr. Laurence Elliot Tirol, former Gallares Tagbilaran chief now Board Member Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno, former Gallares Tagbilaran chief Dr. Jose Teofilo Arcay and present Gallares Tagbilaran chief Dr. Miguelito Jayoma at the soft opening of the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes on September 15, 2025.
The Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes held its soft opening Sept. 15, 2025, marking the culmination of a years-long project to improve health care services in Bohol province.
Former Gov. and Rep. Edgar Chatto, who conceptualized the project, thanked partners and collaborators during a program at the hospital’s ground floor lobby.
The facility represents a trailblazing initiative for Bohol and the first Department of Health Multi-Specialty Medical Center in the country. It was established as one health complex under Republic Act 11883, authored by Chatto when he served in Congress.
Under the law, the health complex comprises campuses in Cortes and Tagbilaran City, with separate organizational structures and respective medical center chiefs.
A year later, Republic Act 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, also co-authored by Chatto, was enacted.
“Many challenges were met to realize this dream and we are thankful to all those who supported and poured their efforts to this project,” Chatto said.
The project was approved under then-hospital chief Dr. Jose Teofilo Arcay, with implementation beginning during Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno’s term.
After passage of Republic Act 11883, Dr. Laurence Elliot Tirol became Gallares Cortes chief while Dr. Miguelito Jayoma became Gallares Tagbilaran chief.
The project spanned three presidential administrations — Benigno Aquino, Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It underwent scrutiny by the National Economic Development Authority under secretaries Arsenio Balisacan and Ernesto Pernia.
Five Department of Health secretaries — Enrique Ona, Janette Garin, Paulyn Ubial, Francisco Duque and Ted Herbosa — coordinated with Gallares medical center chiefs during implementation.
The project also received support from senators Sonny Angara, Bong Go and JV Ejercito, along with Bohol congressional representatives, provincial officials and Cortes municipal and barangay officials.
Chatto first initiated the project as governor to improve the province’s health system.
The provincial government donated a 5-hectare lot in Cortes for the hospital project in 2014.
The National Economic Development Authority Board approved the facility in 2016.
Gallares Cortes initially opened as a 50-bed medical facility designed to serve as a heart and vascular center. It will expand with specialized units in lung and kidney transplant as well as cancer care.
According to DOH Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral, the hospital makes advanced health care services available outside crowded Manila and Cebu. It will allow early detection, intervention and management of heart diseases, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.
“The aim is to progressively achieve basic comprehensive status across all specialty units, expanding the capacity and depth of services offered right here in Bohol,” Maestral said.
She said the hospital creates an ecosystem where education, research and clinical service intersect to elevate clinical standards.
The facility complements the Bohol Island State University School of Medicine, also a Chatto initiative aimed at producing local doctors.
Gov. Aris Aumentado praised Chatto’s initiative during an interview, saying in Cebuano: “I am grateful for the effort of former governor and then former congressman Edgar M. Chatto who really made this hospital happen. We who are entrusted as leaders now in this province will continue what you started.”
The soft opening was attended by DOH Regional Director Dr. Joshua Brillantes, PhilHealth Board Member Robert Maronilla, PhilHealth Regional Vice President Marjorie Cabrieto and a Philippine Heart Center team led by Dr. Joseph Patrick Amores.
Also present were provincial officials, Cortes municipal officials, medical center chiefs of regional hospitals in Cebu, chiefs of private hospitals in Bohol, health practitioners and Gallares Hospital employees.