SURIGAO CITY — A landmark moment for healthcare in the Caraga region unfolded on August 6, 2026, as the Philippine Oncology Center Corporation (POCC) and St. Paul Surigao University Hospital (SPSUH) signed a Memorandum of Agreement and held a groundbreaking ceremony for the establishment of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Treatment Facility. This partnership marks the first facility of its kind in the Caraga Region and will serve as the 9th Cancer Center established by the POCC under its "Walang Mahirap Cancer Care" program. Once operational, the facility will bring specialized diagnosis and treatment services closer to cancer patients, eliminating the need for long and costly travel to other regions.
A Partnership for Accessible and Quality Cancer Care
The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders including Bishop Most Rev. Antonieto D. Cabahug, D.D., POCC Managing Director Miguel Lanzona III, University President Sr. Marie Rosanne Mallillin, SPC, Hospital Administrator Sr. Maria Teresita Parreño, SPC, and Medical Director Dr. Ponciano Limcangco, along with members of the medical staff and other distinguished guests. The collaborative effort between POCC and SPSUH represents a shared vision of expanding quality healthcare services not only in Surigao City but across the entire Caraga region and beyond. The facility is expected to provide comprehensive care that addresses the physical, emotional, and financial burdens often faced by cancer patients and their families.
A Milestone for the "Walang Mahirap Cancer Care" Program
The establishment of this cancer care facility is a significant step forward in the POCC's mission to make life-saving treatment accessible to all, regardless of economic status. Through its "Walang Mahirap Cancer Care" program, the POCC continues to expand its reach, ensuring that more Filipinos can access advanced oncology services closer to their communities. The Surigao City center will join a network of world-class radiation therapy centers across the country, bringing cutting-edge treatment capabilities to the region.
Strengthening Surigao's Healthcare System
Local officials expressed their full support for the initiative, emphasizing that partnerships such as this help bring accessible, quality, and life-saving medical services closer to Surigaonons while contributing to a healthier and more resilient community. The Comprehensive Cancer Care Treatment Facility represents a lasting legacy of improved healthcare infrastructure in Surigao City, offering hope and healing to countless families affected by cancer in the region.
