Guiuan: The newly reconstructed Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital (FAMH) in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, funded by the Korean government, remains on track to begin operations in June this year, according to the provincial government on Monday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Eastern Samar provincial government and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) both reaffirmed their commitment to ensure the hospital's readiness ahead of its targeted opening. "The provincial government assured KOICA of its full commitment to ensure the smooth and successful operation of the hospital within the target period, with officials expressing confidence in meeting the timeline," Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone said in a statement.
KOICA and provincial government officials have been meeting to discuss detailed scheduling for the acquisition, installation, and system integration of medical equipment, all aligned with the hospital's projected operational start in June. Officials also reviewed the broader 2026 implementation calendar to ensure milestones are met on schedule.
The USD8.76-million reconstruction of FAMH is expected to significantly strengthen healthcare delivery in Eastern Samar, expanding access to improved medical facilities and modern equipment for residents across the province. According to KOICA's official Facebook page, their funding support includes the provision of medical and construction equipment and capacity-building for health workers.
KOICA initially supported the partial construction of the main and ancillary buildings, while the remaining construction works were funded by the national and local governments, according to South Korea's premier governmental agency responsible for grant-based official development assistance. The project seeks to upgrade the facility into a fully functional Level 1 hospital after the structure was completely destroyed by Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
The FAMH rehabilitation project began in 2015. One of the main causes of project delay is the power supply shortage in Eastern Samar, particularly during peak hours.
