Here’s a bold statement: The future of healthcare in the Cordillera region hangs in the balance as a groundbreaking proposal gains momentum. The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) has unanimously endorsed the renationalization of five key hospitals, a move that could reshape how healthcare is delivered in this geographically isolated and underserved area. But here’s where it gets controversial—while the goal is to improve efficiency and accessibility, some argue it could undermine local autonomy. Let’s dive into the details.
The hospitals in question—Abra Provincial Hospital, Kalinga Provincial Hospital, Potia District Hospital, Benguet General Hospital, and Besao District Hospital—are currently managed by local government units (LGUs). However, during the 4th Quarter Regional Social Development Committee meeting on November 18, 2025, Department of Health Cordillera (DOH-CAR) Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan shed light on the persistent challenges these facilities face. Geographic isolation, rugged terrain, and poor transport infrastructure have long hindered access to quality healthcare, disproportionately affecting remote and disadvantaged communities. And this is the part most people miss—despite their best efforts, many LGU-managed hospitals struggle to meet even the minimum standards set by the DOH due to limited funding and resources.
Pangilinan emphasized, “To achieve Universal Health Care, we must build robust Health Care Provider Networks in the region. While upgrading existing hospitals is crucial, it’s severely hindered by the inadequate funds of provincial LGUs.” Currently, the region has only four DOH-retained hospitals: three Level II hospitals (two in Apayao and one in Mountain Province) and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), a Level III facility serving as the region’s apex hospital. DOH-retained hospitals are typically better funded, staffed, and equipped, raising questions about whether renationalization is the best path forward for the five hospitals in question.
According to the Center for Health Development-CAR and the Licensing Enforcement Division (RLED), most LGU-managed hospitals face significant fiscal constraints, making it difficult to comply with basic requirements for personnel, infrastructure, and equipment. The proposed renationalization aims to address these gaps by returning hospital management to the DOH, which is expected to bring better resources and oversight. But is this a step toward progress or a retreat from local control?
Proponents argue that renationalization will not only improve the hospitals’ capabilities but also free up fiscal space for LGUs to focus on developing other district hospitals and establishing Health Care Provider Networks in their provinces. Additionally, it’s intended to address the critical shortage of hospital beds in the region and enhance access to higher levels of care, particularly for poor and marginalized families in unserved areas.
However, critics question whether centralizing control under the DOH will truly solve the region’s healthcare woes or if it might create new bureaucratic hurdles. What do you think? Is renationalization the answer, or are there better ways to strengthen healthcare in the Cordillera region?
Copies of the resolution will be shared with Cordillera Congressional Representatives, the Department of Budget and Management, and the Department of Health for further action. As this initiative moves forward, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the outcome will shape the health and well-being of countless Cordillerans for years to come.
