The first phase of the P5-billion Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) legacy building is set to start in October, with ongoing efforts to prepare the site for construction.
The construction of the new building is expected to boost not only the hospital's capacity but also its capability to bring specialized medical services for Eastern Visayas patients.
Dr. Jenny Lind Lesiguez, EVMC chief of medical professional staff, said Wednesday that the construction of the 12-story structure will soon begin, following the allocation of P800 million for the first phase.
The funding for the first phase will cover site development and the construction of the first three levels, according to Lesiguez.
For 2027, the proposed budget is P1.2 billion to fund the second phase of the project. The remaining funds will be requested through future annual budget allocations.
The EVMC legacy building is envisioned as a modern, patient-centered facility designed to improve healthcare delivery and the overall patient experience.
The facility is expected to significantly enhance the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment capabilities. It will house an expanded tertiary laboratory, a satellite pharmacy and a comprehensive ultrasound complex.
Advanced imaging services, including CT scans, MRI, radiographic fluoroscopy, mammography, and dental X-ray, will also be available, enabling faster and more accurate diagnosis.
The building will also strengthen outpatient and specialized care services through open outpatient department clinics and an expanded dialysis center, according to the EVMC.
One of the building’s key features is a connecting bridge linking to the EVMC main building.
The bridge will allow faster and more convenient movement of patients, staff, and medical equipment between the two facilities.
Lesiguez said the expansion will allow EVMC to increase its authorized bed capacity to 1,500 from the current 500.
The hospital, located in Barangay Cabalawan in Tacloban City, currently has 629 beds but has been treating as many as 800 patients.
(With report from PNA/OpinYon News Team)
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