BACOLOR, PAMPANGA — For residents of Bacolor and nearby towns, a trip to San Fernando for medical care may soon become a thing of the past. The newly constructed four-storey Ricardo Rodriguez Memorial Hospital Annex in Barangay Cabambangan, Bacolor, was personally inspected by Governor Lilia "Nanay" Pineda, alongside Mayor Eduardo "Diman" Datu and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan on November 6, 2026. And it's almost ready to serve.
The Facility and Its Capacity
The hospital is designed to operate as a 75-bed Level 1 hospital once fully licensed, and in the meantime, it will begin operations as a 25-bed infirmary while the necessary licensing requirements are being processed . Hospital Chief Dr. Jingle Maray confirmed that Governor Pineda approved the initial operation to immediately provide healthcare services to residents while the licenses are being finalized. Once fully operational, the facility will offer diagnostic and laboratory services including X-ray, 2D echocardiography, and ultrasound, along with other essential medical services, ensuring that residents of Bacolor and neighboring municipalities have access to comprehensive diagnostic care without having to travel far.
The Funding Behind the Project and Why This Matters
The hospital's construction was funded by the national government through the Department of Public Works and Highways, with a total allocation of PHP 250 million from 2021 to 2025, released in installments: PHP 50 million in 2021 for the initial phase, PHP 100 million in 2022, PHP 50 million in 2023, and PHP 50 million in 2024 . The Provincial Government of Pampanga allocated approximately PHP 35 million for medical equipment, with funding initiated during the term of former Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda and continued under Governor Pineda, while the provincial government will also cover the hospital's operational expenses. Beyond the hospital itself, the Provincial Government also allocated PHP 15 million for the repair and improvement of the road in front of the municipal hall, making it easier for patients to access the facility. The hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare access for residents of Bacolor and neighboring municipalities, reducing the need to travel all the way to the City of San Fernando for medical services, and it is one of 10 district hospitals managed by the Provincial Government of Pampanga. As Governor Pineda put it during the inspection: "Lahat masaya. Mula sa effort ni Cong. Dong, Vice Gov. Delta, at kay Mayor. Kahit nahirapan tayo bago matapos, at the end of the day, nandito na siya. Role na ngayon ng Capitol ang mga gamit na ilalagay natin. Sa mga magtatrabaho dito, sa mga doctors at nurses, sana maging taos-puso ang serbisyo ninyo." To the future doctors and nurses who will serve within these walls: your community is counting on you. A new hospital. A closer tomorrow. Bacolor rising.
