By CESAR JOLITO III

Negros Occidental has significantly expanded its primary healthcare network, now operating 24 Department of Health (DOH)-licensed primary care facilities across its 31 local government units (LGUs).

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Girlie Pinongan announced the development during the Provincial Leadership and Governance Program Colloquium and Universal Health Care Summit 2026, noting that 77 percent of LGUs in the province now hold licenses to operate primary care facilities — up from zero just 20 months ago.

Pinongan said the expansion strengthens the province’s goal of ensuring that “Bawat Pilipino, Bawat Negrense” has access to a primary care provider closer to their communities.

Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral cited Negros Occidental’s 24 licensed facilities as among the highest in all regions, underscoring the province’s progress in implementing Universal Health Care programs.

Aside from primary care centers, the province also operates seven infirmaries, 10 Level 1 hospitals, one Level 2 hospital, and one apex hospital, strengthening its overall health system capacity.

Officials also reported that the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program has already served 758,550 beneficiaries since its rollout.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his speech, emphasized that the provincial government is committed to people-centered governance, stressing that healthcare must be treated as a right rather than a privilege.

“Health care is not a privilege but a right,” Lacson said, adding that services must be accessible and felt by every Negrense./CJ, WDJ