RESIDENTS of Davao Oriental will soon benefit from expanded healthcare services following the groundbreaking of new facilities at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in Mati City on July 17, 2025.
The construction of an Ambulatory Care Clinic, Halfway House, and a Multi-purpose Building officially commenced in a ceremony led by key provincial officials and health sector partners.
The new structures are designed to address the needs of patients who require medical attention but do not meet the criteria for hospital admission, particularly those from remote areas who often have no safe place to stay while waiting for treatment.
The project is the result of a collaborative effort among the Department of Health, the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental, and the office of 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Z. Almario, who allocated P6 million to help fund the development.
Governor Nelson Dayanghirang, who was present during the groundbreaking, said the initiative is a step forward in making healthcare more accessible and patient-centered, especially for those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.
Also present at the ceremony were Mati City Mayor Joel Mayo Z. Almario, Vice Governor Glenda Rabat Gayta, Board Member Lady Hope Macayra, Councilor Jr Pang, and representatives from the Department of Health Region-Davao Region (DOH-Davao).
The soon-to-rise Halfway House is expected to provide temporary shelter for patients and their companions, reducing the financial burden of finding accommodation in the city.
The Ambulatory Care Clinic, meanwhile, will cater to patients in need of continuous outpatient services, and the Multi-purpose Building will support administrative, training, and public health outreach activities.
Davao Oriental’s vast geography and rural terrain make access to continuous healthcare a challenge for many of its residents, especially those living in far-flung municipalities.
Health officials said the project addresses a long-standing gap in the province’s medical infrastructure, aiming to bridge the distance between underserved communities and essential care. DEF
