Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital Reconstruction Plan Nears Finalization

The site development plan for the reconstruction of the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital (DOPH-Manay) in Manay, Davao Oriental, which suffered severe damage from a series of strong earthquakes last year, is being finalized by the regional offices of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Health (DOH). This plan is crucial for the next phase of the hospital's rebuilding. The bidding process, initially scheduled for July 28, has been postponed indefinitely due to the need to finalize the site development plan. According to DPWH-XI spokesperson Dean Ortiz, procurement activities cannot proceed without this plan. Documents obtained by MindaNews indicate two projects for the hospital's reconstruction in calendar years 2025 and 2026. The 2026 project (Project No. 26LF0102), estimated at around ₱28.3 million, is slated for the construction of the outpatient department (OPD) building and is currently awaiting fund release. The 2025 project (Project No. 25LF0175), with an approved budget of ₱39.8 million, covers the construction of the hospital's front building and emergency department. This project was interrupted by the earthquakes on October 10 last year and required revisions to meet new reconstruction needs. Funds for this project were released in June 2026. The hospital was destroyed by the series of earthquakes on October 10, 2025, including a magnitude 7.3 quake followed by a magnitude 6.9 quake that evening. Patients and staff were safely evacuated before the worst occurred, and while there were no injuries, hospital operations were significantly impacted. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon stated shortly after the disaster that a new hospital would need to be built, as the damaged facility had been "red-tagged" or deemed unfit for use. The hospital, established in 1982, was formerly known as the Manay Emergency Hospital. The earthquakes affected 17 barangays in Manay, impacting 14,915 families or 74,575 individuals. Temporary tent facilities were set up on the hospital grounds to continue patient treatment. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had ordered an expedited rehabilitation of the hospital. Source: MindaNews Philippines (GN)