31/05/2026
The Puerto Princesa City government opened its birthing facility for normal deliveries on May 28, following the grant of a license to operate by the Department of Health (DOH).
The two-bed birthing facility, located at the Puerto Princesa City Medical Complex in Barangay Sta. Monica, is expected to provide safe, comfortable, free maternity services for mothers with low-risk pregnancies as part of efforts to strengthen access to maternal healthcare in the city.
The DOH-accredited facility is supported by a Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC)-trained healthcare team available 24/7, as it aims to ensure proper medical attention and safer childbirth for mothers and newborns while encouraging pregnant women to coordinate with their barangay midwives to determine eligibility for the program.
During the opening and inauguration ceremony, City Health Officer Dr. Ricardo Panganiban said that all pregnant women who decide to give birth at said facility will be picked up and transported back to their homes after giving birth.
“Yung pinangako po natin na ‘yung mga nanay o pregnant mothers na nag-decide na dito po manganak, puwede po silang tumawag sa ating hotline at susunduin po sila ng ating ambulance. Tapos, pag nag-request po sila na ihatid sa bahay pagkapanganak, ay ihahatid din namin,” Panganiban said.
He added that if the demand for the facility increases, the City Health Office will request the DOH again to upgrade its license to operate to a three or four-bed capacity.
“Sabi ko, start lang muna tayo sa dalawa, then later on tingnan natin kung tumaas ‘yung demand, then request ulit tayo, apply ulit tayo ng upgrading para ma-upgrade ‘yung license to operate natin ng 3 o 4 bed capacity,” Panganiban said.
Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron assured the public that the services to be provided at the birthing facility are free, adding that not only residents of the city will benefit from it, but also those from other towns.
“Itong ating birthing facility ay free, libre ito at magiging maginhawa, comfortable ang mga manganganak at ang mga baby dahil bago ito. Kung may darating dito, ‘wag na ninyong tanungin kung taga-Puerto, lahat ng mga manganganak, paanakin na lang natin, kahit taga-probinsya paanakin natin, ganun talaga ‘yong serbisyo kailangan ibigay natin,” said Bayron.
Included in the services offered at the facility are monitoring for those about to give birth, safe normal delivery, first hug and newborn care, family planning to include IUD and implant insertion, and referral and transport services.
Other services that will be provided to mothers and babies are medical consultation, prenatal and postpartum check-ups, child check-ups and immunization, laboratory services and ultrasound, family planning and counseling, breastfeeding advice and support, and newborn screening. | via Orlan Jabagat
