City of Koronadal, South Cotabato| August 26, 2025 —The South Cotabato Provincial Hospital (SCPH) is preparing for its upgrade into a Level 3 hospital, a development expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the province.
According to Dr. Marilyn Abantao, Officer-in-Charge of SCPH, the hospital has begun strengthening its programs and facilities to comply with the requirements of a tertiary-level institution.
“We have family medicine training and internal medicine training because we are looking forward that in three years we’ll be a tertiary hospital, hopefully with the help of our governor. We also have dialysis services, a short-stay unit, peritoneal dialysis, and our newly transferred outpatient department,” Dr. Abantao said.
At present, the provincial hospital also maintains a strong workforce composed of 2 casual Medical Specialists I (MS I), 14 full-time job order Medical Specialists, 20 full-time job order Medical Officers III (MO III), and 16 part-time visiting consultants, ensuring adequate manpower to deliver quality healthcare services while preparing for higher-level operations.
Once upgraded, SCPH will be able to provide more specialized services, expand its training programs for medical professionals, and enhance its diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Meanwhile, the provincial government also oversees district hospitals in Polomolok and Norala, which continue to serve residents in their respective areas. In addition, the Allah Valley Hospital in Surallah, managed by the Department of Health (DOH), complements the provincial hospital system by offering additional medical services to the public.
The move to elevate SCPH into a Level 3 hospital forms part of the provincial government’s commitment to ensure accessible, efficient, and quality healthcare services for all South Cotabateños.
