AMID growing public concern over the services at the Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC), Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. said the City Government does not operate or manage the public hospital, which is under the Department of Health (DOH).
In a Facebook post on Sunday, June 8, 2025, Gullas responded to complaints raised by netizens regarding the hospital’s services.
Despite the lack of administrative authority, Gullas said the City Government continues to support the hospital through the Aksyon Agad Desk, a program established under a memorandum of agreement with DOH to help Talisay residents access medical assistance without going to City Hall.
CSMC was formerly known as the Talisay District Hospital. Gullas said the facility was upgraded and placed under DOH management to serve a wider population in southern Cebu.
The mayor said the decision to keep the hospital under National Government’s management was made years ago in consultation with his grandfather, former congressman Eduardo “Eddie” Gullas Sr.
In an interview on radio dyHP last week, Gullas said he and his grandfather did not seek the devolution of the hospital to either the City or the Provincial Government, noting that remaining under DOH administration allows the facility to receive more funding from the National Government.
“We saw that if the DOH manages it, the National Government can provide significantly more funding,” Gullas said.
Gullas said the City will request a meeting with CSMC leadership and the DOH to convey public concerns and determine how the City can help improve services.
He also expressed gratitude to the hospital’s medical frontliners for their continued service during emergencies and disasters. / CDF