The Cebu Provincial Government promoted or regularized 118 healthcare workers on Monday, strengthening the workforce of the province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals and providing permanent appointments to employees who had spent years in government service.

The healthcare workers took their oath during a mass ceremony at the Cebu Provincial Hospital-Balamban, marking the first mass oath-taking held at the hospital since it opened 41 years ago.

Among those who secured a permanent position was 49-year-old Rubylyn Dumdum, who had served as the hospital’s sole cook for 18 years.

For Dumdum and other long-serving employees, the ceremony marked the end of years of waiting for permanent appointments.

Gov. Pam’s healthcare reforms

Capitol Piso Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan witnessed the mass oath-taking and described the occasion as an emotional milestone for the healthcare workers.

“I became emotional witnessing the mass oath-taking. Sa Bisaya pa, makapanimbawot og balhibo,” Catalan said.

Catalan has been tasked by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro to oversee the upgrades and improvements of the province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals.

“This is lasting change, all in the service of the Cebuanos,” she added.

The promotion and regularization of healthcare personnel form part of Baricuatro’s broader reforms aimed at strengthening the provincial healthcare system.

The administration has been working to increase the workforce of Capitol-run hospitals while providing career stability to employees who have already spent many years serving patients and communities.

Workers from various health professions

The 118 personnel covered by the latest appointments come from various healthcare and support positions.

They include:

• Nurses
• Doctors
• Medical specialists
• Medical technologists
• Radiologic technologists
• Pharmacists
• Midwives
• Laboratory aides
• Respiratory therapists
• Administrative personnel
• Support staff

The additional and regularized workforce is expected to help provincial hospitals provide more consistent and efficient services to patients.

For healthcare workers who have spent years serving under temporary or non-permanent arrangements, securing regular positions also provides greater employment stability and recognition of their years of service.

The Cebu Provincial Government said strengthening its hospital workforce remains an important component of its efforts to improve public healthcare delivery across the province.

The mass oath-taking in Balamban also highlighted the administration’s focus not only on hospital infrastructure and equipment but also on investing in the people who deliver healthcare services to Cebuanos every day.