South Cotabato — Setting the pace for innovation in public healthcare, the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) has positioned South Cotabato as a model for efficient, modern hospital systems, following a benchmarking visit from four government hospitals in Davao de Oro on April 23, 2026.
The delegation, composed of hospital management personnel from Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital–Pantukan, Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital–Montevista, Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital–Maragusan, and Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital–Laak, visited SCPH to study its standout implementation of cashless operations and Level II service standards.
Dr. Marlyn Abantao, SCPH Hospital Chief, expressed pride in hosting the delegation, emphasizing its role not just as a healthcare provider, but as a partner in advancing standards across institutions.
“We are honored to share our knowledge and remain committed to fostering collaboration that drives continuous improvement in healthcare services across institutions,” the hospital official said.
The visit underscores growing recognition of South Cotabato’s healthcare system as a benchmark for other provinces seeking to elevate their services and achieve higher accreditation levels.
During the activity, the visiting officials examined SCPH’s streamlined processes, digital systems, and patient-centered approaches that are key factors that have enabled the hospital to deliver faster, safer, and more efficient services.
Meanwhile, Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., the governor of the province reiterated that prioritizing healthcare remains central to the province’s governance, highlighting that innovation and strong systems are crucial in ensuring quality and accessible services for all.
At the heart of South Cotabato’s model is SCPH’s pioneering cashier-less system, a transformative approach that eliminates traditional payment bottlenecks, reduces patient waiting time, and promotes safer, contactless transactions.
More than a technological upgrade, it represents a shift toward a more responsive and patient-focused healthcare system, now being looked to as a blueprint for hospitals aiming to modernize across the region.
