A PROVINCIAL official on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, defended the administration of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, countering the perception that it had neglected the healthcare sector in Cebu.
Provincial Board (PB) Member Stanley Caminero, speaking at a news forum, said the previous administration made significant strides by establishing vital health facilities across the province.
“In fairness to the past administration... there were important health facilities that were set up,” said Caminero, who represents the 2nd District in the PB.
He cited the creation of six hemodialysis centers within a three-year period as a primary example of the Garcia administration’s commitment to health.
The centers are located in provincial hospitals in the cities of Carcar, Danao and Bogo, and in the towns of Balamban, Bantayan and on Camotes Islands.
Caminero, a medical doctor, said the establishment of such specialized units was a complex undertaking.
“It was never done before and it is not easy to set up a hemodialysis center… That’s something I would really give credit to the past administration,” he said.
Caminero also pointed to the SugBucas program, a partnership between the Provincial Government and the Department of Health, which deployed medical staff to provincial hospitals. He said the program helped decongest the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
While acknowledging that some health areas might not have been “robustly” supported, Caminero said it would be unfair to claim the past administration did nothing.
Caminero said he fully supports the new administration’s healthcare initiatives. He believes the people will soon experience the benefits of the new administration’s health initiatives. /JPS