Healthcare services in Northern Luzon are set to receive a major boost as the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Dagupan City will soon expand its bed capacity from 600 to 1,500, following the signing of Republic Act (RA) 12203 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on May 14.
“Last Wednesday, May 14, President Marcos signed into law RA 12203, an Act increasing the bed capacity of the Region Medical Center from 600 to 1,500 bed capacity and appropriating funds therefore,” R1MC Director, Dr. Roland Joseph Mejia, said in an interview Friday.
The new law marks a significant milestone for R1MC as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
“It’s a great achievement for all of us to have R1MC soar to stardom because we have upgraded the hospital in celebration of its 100 years this 2025,” he said.
The expansion, he added, is not just about numbers but making sure “we can serve more people, especially those who need quality healthcare the most.”
The expansion will be implemented in phases, in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) as it develops the law’s internal guidelines.
He also shared that this is the second major upgrade for R1MC under his leadership, emphasizing the hospital’s growing role as a critical healthcare hub north of Metro Manila.
The first upgrade was done in 2013 when it doubled from 300 to 600 beds under RA 10614, signed by then president Benigno Aquino III.
“With the new bed capacity, we’re looking at adding another 1,500 staff to support the hospital’s operations,” he said.
R1MC currently employs more than 2,000 medical and support personnel.
RA 12203 also mandates improvements in hospital facilities and services to match the increased capacity.
The DOH is expected to include R1MC’s expansion needs in its subsidy programs, covering capital outlays for construction, equipment, and staffing.
“This means more access to affordable and even free healthcare for indigent patients through programs like Malasakit and other assistance initiatives,” DOH 1 (Ilocos Region) Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said.
R1MC is a Level 3 hospital – the highest classification in the country – and serves as the apex hospital in the region under the Universal Health Care Act.
With the expansion, it will rank among the largest government hospitals outside of Metro Manila.
An apex hospital is an end-referral hospital offering specialized services and is contracted as a stand-alone facility by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PNA)
