A Five-Story Addition Takes Shape
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - General Santos City has allocated PHP109 million from the Local Government Support Fund for the new five-story building at Dr. Jorge P. Royeca City Hospital, according to a Philippine Information Agency report published August 19, 2026. City officials said completing and upgrading the hospital is among the city's healthcare priorities for 2026. Procurement for necessary items was undergoing the bidding process, with inspection procedures included in the process. The national government, through the Department of Public Works and Highways, is also providing funds for rehabilitation and repairs. The combined work gives the hospital project a substantial infrastructure component while keeping patient care in operation.
Repairs Are Already Reaching Patient Areas
The hospital's improvement is not limited to the unfinished building. PIA reported that rehabilitation work has been carried out in several existing sections following damage from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Three medical-ward rooms were restored with new flooring, fresh paint, and upgraded bathroom facilities, and were already back in use. The emergency room also received new flooring and fresh paint while continuing to accommodate around 20 to 30 patients. Work was continuing in other areas, with floors, comfort rooms, and sanitation infrastructure receiving attention. These details provide a more tangible picture of the project: improvements are appearing in spaces patients and healthcare workers actually use.
From Earthquake Repairs to a More Functional Facility
The rehabilitation is also being used to address some existing concerns in the aging hospital, according to hospital chief Dr. Ryan Oscar Aplicador. Repairs were continuing in different sections, with the lobby flooring expected to be among the final areas addressed. Importantly, the hospital has continued providing medical services during the work. The city government described the objective as restoring the facility into a safer, more spacious, and more comfortable environment for patients, visitors, and healthcare workers. For General Santos City, the project therefore represents more than post-earthquake repair. It combines recovery work with an opportunity to improve the functionality of an important public medical facility.
