“A Hospital Within Reach: The Biliran Province Healthcare Vision”

Because No One Should Lose a Loved One Waiting for Specialized Care

I just watched the video Congressman Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina Jr. sent me about the ongoing project to upgrade Biliran Provincial Hospital into a modern 200-bed healthcare facility. For me, this is more than an infrastructure project—it is a dream of a better healthcare system and a deeply personal advocacy.

Please see the link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1229353049413824

Photo credit: Video capture from video link

I have experienced the pain of losing loved ones while grappling with the limitations of inadequate healthcare. My father passed away in 2016 at age 65, and my sister Helen passed away a few days ago, on August 26, 2026, at age 35. Their passing has strengthened my conviction that no family should have to endure the agony of watching a loved one in critical condition when adequate medical care is too far away or unavailable.

For many Biliranons, travelling to Ormoc or Tacloban City when a patient is fighting for survival can be an agonizing race against time. Soon, with a modern, expanded provincial hospital, Biliranons can have a healthcare facility they can truly call their own—closer to home, better equipped, and able to serve more people at their most vulnerable moments.

This project represents years of perseverance in securing government funding and support. Congressman Gerardo Espina Jr. has worked to secure additional funding, including ₱250 million in prior allocations, as the project advances in phases.

The planned facility will offer expanded wards, modern medical equipment, and broader healthcare services, helping reduce the need for Biliranons to travel outside the province for specialized care.

But my hope goes beyond Biliran Province.

Although I live in Canada and may be far from home, my family's experiences back home have strengthened my desire to advocate for a stronger, more accessible, and more compassionate healthcare system—not only in Biliran Province but throughout the Philippines, especially in our rural and underserved communities.

Healthcare should not depend on where a person lives or on a family's ability to afford it. Every Filipino deserves a fighting chance when life is at stake.

My appreciation and prayers go to Congressman Gerry Espina, Governor Roger Espina Jr., and everyone working tirelessly to make this long-awaited project a reality.

May this hospital become more than a building. May it become a symbol of hope—where lives are saved, families are comforted, and no one is forced to travel far when every second counts.

From Canada, I continue to look home with hope and pride. For my father. For my sister, Helen. For every family that has endured the pain of inadequate healthcare. And for every Filipino who deserves better.

May we continue building a Philippines where quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right, accessible to everyone—especially those in our rural communities, like Biliran Province. 🙏💙