Cebu Breaks Ground on ₱8.48M Sewage Treatment Plant to Improve Healthcare in Camotes

The Provincial Government of Cebu held the groundbreaking ceremony for the P8.48-million Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital in the municipality of San Francisco, Camotes Islands, on July 20, 2026.

The ceremony was led by Cebu Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro as part of the administration’s continuing efforts to strengthen healthcare facilities and implement projects that promote public health and environmental protection.

The new Sewage Treatment Plant is designed to improve the wastewater management system of Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital.

According to the Provincial Government, the facility will treat wastewater generated by the hospital’s operations before it is discharged, ensuring compliance with environmental and public health standards.

The project is expected to help reduce the risk of pollution around the hospital while providing greater protection to the surrounding community through proper wastewater management.

It also forms part of the province’s broader initiative to modernize district and provincial hospitals.

During the ceremony, Governor Baricuatro expressed her gratitude to Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan for her role in managing and overseeing the healthcare reforms and hospital modernization initiatives being implemented by the administration.

The governor said that Dr. Catalan has made significant contributions to carrying out reforms aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services throughout the Province of Cebu. She added that patients are already beginning to experience and recognize the positive changes taking place in provincial hospitals.

Baricuatro also shared that the province’s healthcare facilities continue to undergo upgrades to further enhance the services provided to the public.

Priority initiatives include strengthening hospital infrastructure, increasing the availability of medical equipment, and improving the overall quality of patient care.

According to the governor, several patients have shared their experiences on social media, praising the improvements in district and provincial hospitals.

Among the changes they highlighted were better-quality meals served to patients, upgraded hospital facilities, an increase in the number of doctors and nurses, and improved medical equipment compared to previous years.

The construction of the Sewage Treatment Plant at Ricardo Maningo Memorial Hospital is considered an important step toward ensuring that the hospital not only delivers quality healthcare services but also adheres to environmental protection standards.

Once completed, the project is expected to further strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage wastewater efficiently and ensure safe and sustainable operations while continuing to serve the residents of Camotes Islands and other neighboring communities.

Article by – Rickee Martin, TMC Intern