South Cotabato — The Provincial Government of South Cotabato has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening healthcare services with the planned expansion of the Norala District Hospital (NDH), following the successful coordination among provincial, municipal, and national agencies.
Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., supported the funding for the expansion project while an additional allocation from the Department of Health (DOH), which will cover the construction of two new hospital buildings within the existing hospital compound.
“The Provincial Government has expressed full support for the hospital expansion, emphasizing its long-term benefits for public health and service delivery in the area,” the governor said.
According to NDH, a coordination meeting was recently held involving Municipal Mayor Clemente B. Fedoc, Engr. Sally E. Sardiña, system head of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) SCSIMO–ALA RIS, NIA personnel, the president of the Irrigators Association, and hospital administrators. The meeting focused on finalizing the relocation of the NIA Norala Sub-Office, a crucial step to pave the way for the hospital’s expansion.
“Hospital officials said the relocation is a key component of the Provincial Government’s long-term plan to enhance the capacity of Norala District Hospital in response to the increasing healthcare needs of Norala residents and neighboring communities,” a post from the NDH official Facebook page said.
The planned expansion includes a two-story building that will house additional patient wards, private rooms, and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as well as a separate DOH-funded facility.
Once completed, these developments are expected to significantly increase the hospital’s bed capacity and improve the delivery of medical services, NDH official statement stated.
To facilitate the project, Norala Mayor Fedoc will donate a designated lot for the construction of a new NIA Sub-Office. Governor Tamayo will also extend financial assistance for the construction of the new NIA building in its relocated site. NDH said the collaborative effort among Gov. Tamayo, the Municipal Local Government of Norala, and NIA reflects a shared commitment to sustainable development, improved access to quality
