Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has pledged support for infrastructure and equipment upgrades in Cebu Provincial Government-run hospitals to advance the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act. As Senate finance committee chairman and principal author of the UHC law, Ejercito committed to securing national funding over the next two budget cycles to improve primary, secondary, and provincial hospitals across the province.
Inspection and Commitment
In an interview at the Provincial Capitol on Friday, June 26, 2026, Ejercito said his priorities align with the healthcare agenda of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro. He joined Baricuatro in inspecting health facilities, including the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City (CPH Danao) and the rural health unit in Cordova. Visits to Minglanilla and Carcar are also scheduled to assess the healthcare needs of southern Cebu.
“Being the author of Universal Health Care Law, my advocacy is really to improve the healthcare system. I am very happy that Gov. Pam’s major program is healthcare,” Ejercito said in a mix of Tagalog and English. “V. Sotto (Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center) is already a specialty center that is already well-funded every year; so, we need also to fund and to improve the primary and secondary hospitals and provincial hospitals,” he added.
Funding and the Yakap Program
Ejercito emphasized the need to channel national funding to ease the burden on apex medical centers. As Senate finance committee chairman, he said he would work to secure funding for the continued implementation of the UHC law over the next two budget cycles. “Hopefully, in the next two budget seasons, we will be able to fund all these health facilities,” he said.
He noted that the PhilHealth Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (Yakap) remains a key component of the UHC law. Yakap, which replaced the PhilHealth Konsulta program, is an enhanced primary care package that provides free outpatient consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screenings, and maintenance medicines. “All Filipinos are entitled to free check ups, free tests every year,” he said.
CPH Danao Expansion
The Cebu Province Public Information Office (PIO) reported that Ejercito, Baricuatro, and Capitol health consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan inspected an unfinished expansion building at CPH Danao. The project, funded by the Provincial Government, is expected to help the hospital secure Level II accreditation. According to CPH Danao chief Dr. Jenina Canoy, the 787-square-meter facility will expand hospital capacity and introduce specialized medical services.
The ground floor will house the pharmacy and warehouse, while the second floor will contain operating rooms and intensive care units. Additional surgical wards will be located on the third floor. Once the operating rooms become operational, the hospital will be able to perform orthopedic, general, and laparoscopic surgeries, as well as cesarean sections and gynecological procedures.
Impact and Timeline
The expansion project is targeted for completion in 2027. It will increase CPH Danao’s bed capacity from 100 to 250, helping accommodate its daily average of nearly 200 patients. The hospital serves as a catchment facility for communities from Borbon to Consolacion, including the Camotes Islands. Baricuatro sought assistance for hospital infrastructure projects and the acquisition of medical equipment, which Ejercito pledged to support.
