Bed capacity to increase to 1,500
TACLOBAN CITY – The national government has allocated an initial budget of P800 million for the construction of a new facility at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC).
The new facility, to be named the EVMC Legacy Tower or Legacy Building, will serve as the hospital’s specialty center, focusing on transplant operations, bypass surgeries, and housing additional operating rooms, as well as a helipad for patient transport.
This 12-storey building is designed to accommodate 600 beds and 600 chairs for outpatient laboratory patients.
It will also feature a covered crossway connecting it to the main hospital facility, ensuring easy access for patients, their guardians, and hospital staff.
“The funds have already been released by the Department of Budget and Management under the unprogrammed fund,” said EVMC Chief Dr. John Michael Jaro during a press conference at the hospital on Friday, October 25.
Jaro said that the expansion of the EVMC will result for the health facility to increase its current bed capacity of 500 to 1,500.
“We envision that EVMC will have a bed capacity of 1,500, potentially increasing up to 1,800 beds to accommodate more patients from across the region,” he said.
Jaro expressed his gratitude to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez who represents Leyte’s 1st district which includes Tacloban City where the regional health facility is located.
For 2024, a total of P1.67 billion has been allocated under the unprogrammed fund for EVMC, which includes P800 million for the Legacy Tower, P700 million for EVMC rehabilitation, and P170 million for equipment procurement.
Construction of the Legacy Building is set to begin next year, following the clearing of the property in front of the hospital, which is currently occupied by vendors.
Dr. Jaro noted that since construction will commence during the election ban period, they will seek an exemption to ensure timely progress on the project.
“We need to start constructing this building because it will greatly benefit the region’s healthcare,” Dr. Jaro emphasized.
The total cost of the project is estimated at P5 billion, with an additional P2 billion expected in 2025 and another P2 billion projected for release in 2026.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
