LILOY, Zamboanga del Norte — A long-awaited Level 2 hospital that promises to transform healthcare access for tens of thousands in this corner of the southern Philippines has cleared a critical planning milestone, moving closer to construction after years of advocacy by local lawmakers.
The proposed Liloy General Hospital, with a 100-bed capacity, has a completed master plan and detailed budgetary requirements for inclusion in the 2027 General Appropriations Act, according to documents received by Rep. Adrian “Ian” Amatong of the 3rd District. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12261, the law authored by Amatong. The project has a total projected cost of P1.015 billion (roughly $17.5 million).
Amatong, who championed the measure in Congress, expressed satisfaction after reviewing the masterplan prepared by the Department of Health’s regional office under Director Lenny Joy Johnson-Rivera. “This is a big victory and a source of pride for the people of Liloy and the entire 3rd District,” he said, describing the development as a significant step toward realizing improved health services.
The funding breakdown for the project includes:
- 510 million pesos for infrastructure
- 180 million pesos for medical equipment
- 170 million pesos for personnel services
- 155 million pesos for one-year maintenance
Once operational, the facility is expected to generate substantial local employment — from construction workers to medical staff, nurses, utility personnel, and support roles — while providing a major economic lift to the area through better healthcare infrastructure and related livelihood opportunities.
The hospital represents more than just bricks and mortar for residents of Liloy and the surrounding municipalities in the 3rd District. It addresses longstanding gaps in reliable, higher-level medical care in a region where access to advanced services has often required long and costly travel.
The project’s inclusion in next year’s national budget will be the next decisive test. If approved, construction could begin in the coming years, turning a legislative victory into a tangible public asset for one of the country’s underserved provinces.
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