Isabela City, Basilan — The Basilan General Hospital, the premier public healthcare facility in the Province of Basilan, has officially been upgraded to a Level III hospital under the newly enacted Republic Act No. 12056. The legislation, signed into law on October 31, 2024, by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., renames the facility as the Basilan Medical Center (BMC) and increases its capacity and scope of services.
Under this new act, the hospital’s authorized bed capacity will expand from 125 to 500 beds, a move anticipated to significantly enhance healthcare accessibility for residents of Basilan and nearby areas. Alongside the increase in bed capacity, the new law mandates an expansion of healthcare services and improvements to the facility’s infrastructure, positioning BMC as a fully equipped Level III hospital.
In accordance with the standards for a Level III hospital, BMC will receive an upgrade in its diagnostic and therapeutic services, specialized care units, and staff capacity. The Department of Health (DOH) will oversee these changes, ensuring that the center’s medical, nursing, and support personnel are increased to support the expanded services. The Secretary of Health will work in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission to determine the additional positions needed to operate the expanded facility effectively.
The transition to the Basilan Medical Center comes as part of the government’s broader effort to improve healthcare services across the country, particularly in under-served regions. Funding for the upgraded facility will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act, aligning with the government’s commitment to provide quality healthcare to Filipinos nationwide.
“This law marks a significant step in addressing the healthcare needs of the people in Basilan,” stated the Department of Health. “The expanded capacity and upgraded facilities of the new Basilan Medical Center will improve our ability to serve the region with high-quality healthcare.”
Republic Act No. 12056 will come into effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
