SUBIC, Zambales — The Department of Health (DOH) Region III has conducted an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Subic General Hospital in Barangay Asinan Proper, marking a major step toward the realization of improved public healthcare services in Zambales.
DOH Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores, MPH, CESO IV personally led the site inspection, together with representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson “Jay” Khonghun, and Subic Mayor Jon Khonghun.
Following the inspection, officials held a coordination meeting to begin preparations for the eventual turnover of the facility to the DOH. Once completed, the Subic General Hospital is expected to become the first DOH-managed hospital in the province of Zambales.
Authorities said the hospital is targeted for turnover before the end of the year and is expected to start serving residents of Subic and nearby municipalities next year.
“I am deeply grateful to the DOH and our partner government agencies for their continued support in ensuring efficient, high-quality, and compassionate healthcare services for our people,” Khonghun said.
The inspection coincided with the filing of House Bill No. 1227, which seeks to formally establish the Subic General Hospital as a Level III general hospital under the direct control and supervision of the DOH.
Authored by Rep. Khonghun and introduced during the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress, the bill aims to address long-standing gaps in healthcare services in Subic and surrounding areas.
In the bill’s explanatory note, Khonghun cited Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development and ensure access to affordable healthcare services, especially for the underprivileged, sick, elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities.
The proposed hospital is aligned with Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, and is envisioned to provide advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical services to Subic residents. Subic, with a population of 111,912 based on the 2020 census, remains the most populous municipality in Zambales without a government hospital.
The facility is also expected to help decongest the James L. Gordon Memorial Hospital in Olongapo City, the only public hospital serving the highly urbanized city and surrounding areas. PhilHealth data cited in the bill show that the Olongapo Local Health Insurance Office serves a catchment population of about 566,756 across the city and five adjacent municipalities.
Beyond Subic and Olongapo, the hospital is expected to strengthen the provincial healthcare network by improving referral systems, distributing patient load more equitably, and enhancing access to tertiary care for underserved municipalities such as Castillejos and San Marcelino.
Funding for the establishment of the hospital will be sourced from the appropriations authorized under the General Appropriations Act, with subsequent operational and maintenance expenses included in the annual national budget.
Khonghun said the proposed Subic General Hospital will serve not only as a center for healing but also as a catalyst for socio-economic growth by generating employment for healthcare workers and stimulating health-related economic activity in the province.
The bill seeks the immediate passage of the measure.