A HEALTHCARE facility worth P11.4 million has been inaugurated in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, significantly improving residents’ access to quality medical services.
The Super Health Center (SHC) opened on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
Councilor Emilio Galaroza Jr., chairman of the City Council’s health committee, told reporters that the SHC is designed to improve health services and support the Department of Health’s (DOH) Universal Health Care (UHC) program, addressing challenges in the current health delivery system.
Republic Act 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, mandates the institutionalization of health technology assessments as a transparent and equitable priority-setting mechanism, providing recommendations to the DOH and Philhealth for policy and program development. The law also aims to provide all Filipinos with access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
Galaroza said that the SHC in Barangay Basak stands out from regular health centers due to its more advanced equipment and broader range of services.
“The structure and equipment — we have an X-ray machine, blood chemistry [analyzer] and a birthing facility. That’s the difference between an ordinary health center and an SHC—there are more services and it’s more comprehensive,” Galaroza said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
He added that the center also offers minor surgical procedures, and the City Government plans to increase staffing and manpower to support the expansion of these services.
Galaroza revealed that a proposal for a second SHC in Lapu-Lapu City is under consideration, with Barangay Punta Engaño or Mactan as a possible location.
Facility features
City Engineering Office head Perla Amar said in a separate interview that the facility was funded by DOH 7, with the City Government overseeing its implementation.
The total construction cost of the project was P11,472,098.39. Construction began in July 2024.
Spanning 391 square meters, the SHC is located on a 1,217-square-meter lot owned by Barangay Basak.
Amar said the local government is also planning ground improvements and parking areas, and Phase 2 of the project will include a larger septic system for infectious waste, as requested by DOH 7.
Phase 2, which has already been awarded, is waiting for exemption approval from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to the election ban. It will be funded by the City Government with a budget of P5 million.
“We have applied for an exemption from the Comelec for the election ban. Hopefully, once we receive confirmation of the exemption, we can issue the notice to proceed,” said Amar in a mix of Cebuano and English. / DPC