PENNING the evolution of Bohol Provincial Hospital (BPH) enabled me to develop a fresh look at its simple yet monumental beginnings, the adversities it endured especially during World War II (WW II), and its satisfying conquests over the years. In this endearing tale involving a whole community, let’s turn nostalgic as we walk down memory lane.
Early beginnings
In the early 1920s, the epidemics of smallpox and cholera resulted in thousands of deaths in the country. These serious health crises were the impetus behind the construction of a hospital to manage future outbreaks. Two years later, in 1922, the Assembly of Municipal Presidents passed a resolution creating a public charitable hospital which was then endorsed to the Provincial Board (PB) of Bohol. After that, on May 19, 1923, Gov. Juan Torralba and Board Members (BMs) Miguel Oppus and Alipio Libres, approved and adopted Resolution No. 656 which was consequently forwarded to the national government for suitable funding.
Fast forward to six years later, on October 18, 1929, BPH — a one-story building that could accommodate two classrooms — formally opened during the term of Gov. Filomeno Caseñas and BMs Pablo Maceren and Aurelio Bendijo. As history would write it, Dr. Victor Abastillas became BPH’s first chief from 1929-1933.
As the vision advanced, five years later, in 1934, Dr. Ciriaco Bagabaldo, second chief of the hospital (1934-1937), recommended expanding the facility to Gov. Celestino Gallares and BMs Bernardino Inting and Juan Pajo, who rightfully appropriated funds to put up an additional two-story main building and medical services. Construction commenced and continued throughout WW II when Japan occupied the Philippines including Bohol.
WW II
With the war raging, BPH was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army. This disruption triggered the operation of an emergency hospital in Carmen, Bohol. Hats off to this dedicated move!
Post-War Era: 1950-1960
On May 8, 1945, WW II in Europe ceased. Later in the same year, US President Harry S. Truman announced Japan’s surrender, finally ending the devastating war. Following WW II, the US Army rehabilitated and occupied BPH. They undertook major improvements including repairs to the sewerage system; installing electricity; erecting a concrete water tank; remodeling the nurses’ quarters; and fencing the nearly one-hectare hospital land area.
Captivatingly, from 1937-1946 — pre-war, war years, and post-war, Dr. Panfilo Lejano served as chief of the hospital. These were turbulent years, nonetheless, the hospital continued to serve the community. Dr. Pedro Mayuga who served for nearly a decade from 1947-1956, succeeded Dr. Lejano.
In 1949, the relevance of an X-ray department was acknowledged, and hence, created. This was followed by the construction of a 15-bed capacity structure called the Communicable Disease Pavilion on May 12, 1950, and the construction and inauguration of the nurses’ quarters on January 16, 1960. The Nurses’ Home Building was erected at the cost of P72,000.00 with funds donated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the pork barrels of Representatives Natalio Castillo, Bartolome Cabangbang, and Esteban Bernido. Dr. Delfin Ordoñez was chief of the hospital from 1957-1960.
Circa 1961-1979
As inspired leaders go, Dr. Jesus Ceballos, the sixth chief of the hospital, paved the way for the facility’s remarkable growth. This includes the construction of the School of Nursing with support from the former First Lady of the Republic of the Philippines, Leonila Garcia, and the PB of Bohol — the building which was completed at P84,000.00 was donated by the PCSO; construction of the hospital dining hall and kitchen, male quarters, property section and laundry, out-patient department, morgue, tennis court, medical records, and school’s water reservoir; and erection of the Ob-Gyne and delivery room, Pedia building, pharmacy, left wing of the main building’s first and second floors, nursing service office, medical library, administrative business office, office of the chief of hospital, guard post, hospital’s water reservoir, and paving of the “Moonlit Square” and hospital quadrangle.
This decade’s development saw the inauguration and opening of the School of Nursing simultaneously with the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics and the expansion of vital infrastructure and facilities fully equipping and updating the hospital. Moreover, on July 1, 1973, BPH was designated as the Regional Hospital of Central Visayas while being delegated as a teaching-training hospital under Regional Health Office VII of the Ministry of Health.
Moving forward: 1979-1998
Under the stewardship of Dr. Quintin Derekito (1979-1982), Dr. Victoria Labado (1982-1985), Dr. Antonio Remoto (1985-1986), and Dr. Renato Velasco (1986-1998), BPH experienced the following milestones: awarded Most Outstanding Tertiary Hospital in Region VII in December 1982; renamed “Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital” through Batas Pambansa Bilang 640 authored by Assemblyman Bartolome Cabangbang on April 6, 1984 — the hospital held a fitting ceremony attended by Health Secretary Jesus Azurin; closing of the School of Nursing in May 1985 after producing its first batch of graduates in 1966; increased bed capacity through Republic Act 7266 — An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of the Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol, from Two Hundred (200) to Two Hundred Twenty-Five (225) Beds, and Appropriating Funds Therefore on March 20, 1992; and awarded as Mother-Friendly Hospital by the Department of Health and the UNICEF.
90th year: 2019 to present
On April 17, 2019, Republic Act 11324: “An Act Increasing the Bed Capacity of Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) in Tagbilaran City, Province of Bohol from Two Hundred Twenty-Five (225) to Five Hundred Twenty-Five (525) Beds and Upgrading its Services and Facilities . . . was approved, enabling GCGMH to accommodate more patients.
In 2022 or twenty-eight years after its first change of name, and under Republic Act 11883: An Act Converting the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in the City of Tagbilaran, Province of Bohol to the Governor Celestino Gallares Multi-Specialty Medical Complex (GCGMMC) . . . approved on June 29, 2022, the medical facility once again changed its name. Interestingly, section 2 of the law provides that GCGMMC consists of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center in Tagbilaran City and the Multi-Specialty Medical Center in Cortes, Bohol.
Hence, over the years, the hospital changed its name thrice.
The following served BPH/GCGMH/GCGMMC as hospital chiefs from 1998-August 31, 2024: Dr. Simeona Virtusio (1998-2000); Dr. Nenita Moraga-Po (2001-2013); Dr. Jose Teofilo Arcay (2013-2016); and Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol Macuno (2016-August 31, 2024). Dr. Julius Ceasar Prestro, Medical Specialist III, serves as Officer-in-Charge Medical Center Chief II starting September 1, 2024.
I must say that in their nearly one hundred years of existence, I was never confined at BPH in my childhood or youth, hence, I had not experienced the hospital’s brand of healthcare. But I remember visiting an aunt who delivered a baby in my teenage years, and recently, visiting an uncle at the intensive care unit.
Given its humble beginnings, rich history, and future trajectory, I am honored to tell the story of Bohol’s entrenched pillar in public healthcare.
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The writer hosts Woman Talk with Belinda Sales every Saturday, 10 a.m. at 91.1 Balita FM Tagbilaran City. Email at belindabelsales@gmail.com. X @ShilohRuthie./PN
