OROQUIETA CITY – Governor Henry S. Oaminal is pushing for a unified and sustainable healthcare system as he convened chiefs of government hospitals, private hospital owners, national agencies, and local officials to strengthen Misamis Occidental’s Free Hospitalization Program. During the Joint Stakeholders’ Meeting at the Provincial Capitol on March 4, Governor Oaminal stressed that healthcare concerns—particularly hospital charges, professional fees, and medicine costs—must be addressed collectively through stronger public–private partnership. Despite limited resources, the administration restructured its budget under the ASENSO governance framework, prioritizing agriculture, education, tourism, and health, aiming to ensure development is both physical and human-centered. A key highlight is the Asenso Misamis Occidental Medical Center, which will expand hospital capacity from 150 to 500 beds, funded entirely through local resources. Governor Oaminal proposed a Memorandum of Agreement to formalize private hospital accreditation, regulate professional fees, streamline and digitalize processes, harmonize referral systems, and set a 15–30 day settlement period. Ozamiz City Mayor Sam Norman Fuentes supported the initiative, citing the City Government’s ₱110 million allocation for hospitalization assistance and emphasizing fair and reasonable hospital charges. Private hospital owners and representatives expressed openness to accreditation and committed to continued dialogue to ensure fair and sustainable healthcare delivery. Governor Oaminal underscored that the goal is clear: a harmonized, efficient, and compassionate healthcare system where every Misamisnon can access free and timely hospitalization.
