IN A move aimed at addressing doctor shortages in underserved areas, the Cebu Provincial Government on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, introduced 12 newly hired general practitioners who will be deployed across eight provincial hospitals.
Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, in a press conference, said the initiative forms part of broader reforms to improve the Province’s public healthcare system.
The Provincial Government currently needs 78 additional doctors to fill critical staffing gaps.
The 12 general practitioners will provide primary care across a range of age groups, complementing the work of specialists. Officials said the recruitment of additional doctors and nurses, particularly for island towns, is ongoing.
Baricuatro’s daughter, consultant for health Dr. Nicole Catalan, called the deployment the “first round” of medical personnel committing to service in the province’s hospitals.
“These doctors represent a step toward reforming healthcare delivery in Cebu,” Catalan said.
The doctors are scheduled to serve in hospitals located in Argao, Barili, Daanbantayan, Danao City, Carcar City, Minglanilla, Tuburan and Sogod. Their assignments were made following a Department of Health (DOH) assessment and matched with available vacancies based on their preferred hospital postings, Provincial Health Officer Ann Josephine Arsenal said in the same press conference.
Bucas program
In a related development, two new urgent and ambulatory care facilities were inaugurated in Cebu City on Wednesday under the DOH’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (Bucas) program.
The newly opened Sugbucas Capitol and Sugbucas Sudlon centers are the third and fourth Bucas facilities in the province. Located on Clavano St. in Barangay Capitol Site, Sugbucas Capitol will offer same-day outpatient surgeries. Meanwhile, Sugbucas Sudlon, situated within the government center in Barangay Lahug, will function as a walk-in urgent care center and outpatient department, providing consultations and diagnostics for non-emergency cases.
Officials said the Sugbucas sites are part of the National Government’s “28 for 28 by 28” goal — an initiative to establish 28 Bucas facilities serving 28 million Filipinos by 2028.
The program seeks to ease the burden on public hospitals by providing intermediate healthcare options between barangay clinics and hospital emergency rooms.
Health officials said the program aims to improve access to timely care and reduce patient congestion in hospitals, particularly in rural and low-resource communities. / CDF