GOV. Pamela Baricuatro has brushed aside a proposed bill filed by Fifth District Rep. Duke Frasco that seeks to convert the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City into a national government-run Level 2 hospital.
In a press conference, Baricuatro said a Congressional bill is not necessary to upgrade the medical facility.
“Sa una ga sige ni sila og suroy-suroy karon nag sige na man og sakay-sakay… Sakay-sakay pa more (Before, they kept on doing suroy-suroy. Now, they’re always riding on. Come and ride with us some more),” Baricuatro said with clear sarcasm on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025.
“We do not need a congressional bill for you to upgrade a hospital,” Baricuatro added.
“You know it’s no big deal because as we are engaging with the district hospitals and infirmaries, we are preparing them already; even the infirmaries, we are already preparing them to become level 1 hospitals. And from Level 1, we will prepare them to become Level 2, ” Baricuatro said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
“No politics”
In response, Frasco appealed to the governor to set aside politics until 2028. Frasco is the son-in-law of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, whom Baricuatro defeated in the recent midterm elections.
“Governor Pam Baricuatro, let us set aside politics until 2028 and not allow our political affiliations or loyalties to dictate our actions,” said Frasco.
“Let us put the health and general welfare of the Cebuanos first. I am simply appealing for your support and extending my hand in collaboration. Let us work together for the good of Cebu and all Cebuanos,” Frasco added.
“Dili man ko palaaway (I don’t pick fights), I extend my hand of collaboration. Magtinabangay ta alang sa kalambuan sa Sugbo ug sa tanang Sugbuanon (Let us help each other for the development of Cebu and all Cebuanos),” he added in a follow-up text message sent to SunStar Cebu.
Cebu has 16 province-run hospitals, including 12 district hospitals and four provincial hospitals.
Currently, Balamban and Bogo have Level 2 provincial hospitals; while provincial hospitals in Carcar, Danao, Bantayan and Camotes are at Level 1.
Baricuatro is also working to upgrade several current infirmaries into Level 1 hospitals. These facilities are in the towns of Minglanilla, Argao, Sogod, Badian, Barili, Tuburan, Pinamungajan and Daanbantayan.
Baricuatro said the Provincial Government has not received any formal communication from Frasco regarding his proposal, and all information regarding the matter have been solely based on social media pronouncements.
Meanwhile, Baricuatro’s daughter, health consultant Nicole Catalan, said hospital upgrades require compliance with Department of Health (DOH) standards, not new legislation.
Catalan said the Province is “very capable” in running hospitals, adding that the Baricuatro administration has prioritized inspecting and upgrading provincial hospitals.
The Capitol is currently working to increase hospital levels by hiring more medical personnel and acquiring new equipment to meet DOH standards.
This approach, she said, allows the Province to respond faster to healthcare needs.
She said the upgrades are based on immediate medical requirements, not the lengthy legislative process.
Frasco’s bill seeks to upgrade the Danao City hospital into a Level 2 facility called the North Cebu Medical Center.
If the bill is passed, the hospital would be under the jurisdiction of the DOH.
This would allow the national government to fund the hospital’s operations, easing the financial burden on the provincial government.
Frasco said the upgraded hospital would also help decongest the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City. / CDF