Old Roxas hospital to close temporarily as Capiz Medical Center opens

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The provincial government of Capiz will temporarily close the old Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital (RMPH) in Barangay Inzo Arnaldo, Roxas City, for major renovations once the new Capiz Medical Center (CMC) in Barangay Lanot opens before the end of October.

Gov. Fredenil “Oto” Castro said the old hospital requires extensive rehabilitation because several patient rooms and facilities are no longer in good condition.

Castro clarified that the old RMPH would resume operations once the renovation is completed.

He also confirmed that the new hospital would be called Capiz Medical Center despite opposition from some sectors and suggestions that it retain the name Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital.

The governor urged the public to use the new hospital’s facilities responsibly to help preserve their condition.

Meanwhile, RMPH employees conducted a Bayanihan Cleanup Drive at the new Capiz Medical Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, in preparation for its planned opening before the end of the month.

The cleanup covered several key hospital areas, including the billing and administrative offices on the fourth and fifth floors.

Employees also cleaned the pharmacy, laboratory and emergency room on the ground floor.

Castro personally visited the participating employees, accompanied by Executive Assistant III Eduardo Apa-ap Jr.

The activity aimed to ensure a clean and safe environment for patients and visitors from Roxas City and other municipalities in Capiz.

Since Oct. 15, 2026, the provincial government has also begun transferring medical equipment and supplies from the old RMPH along Arnaldo Boulevard to the new medical center.

The new facility is expected to operate under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH).

House Bill 377, authored by Capiz 2nd District Rep. Jane Tan Castro, was filed in Congress in June 2025 to convert RMPH into the Capiz Medical Center.

The Provincial Health Office (PHO), led by Provincial Health Officer II Dr. Ramon Alex Nolasco, recently coordinated with the Regulatory, Licensing and Enforcement Division of the DOH Center for Health Development-Western Visayas in Iloilo City to process the hospital’s regulatory and licensing requirements.

The coordination aims to ensure that the medical center complies with government regulations and licensing standards before becoming fully operational.

Provincial officials said the facility is expected to strengthen the provincewide health system and expand Capizeños’ access to quality health care services.

The proposed medical center is envisioned to have increased bed capacity, expanded diagnostic services, additional medical equipment, residency training programs for doctors and specialized medical services.

It is also envisioned as an apex hospital serving Capiz, Aklan, Romblon, Masbate and northern Iloilo.

As an apex hospital, the facility is expected to receive referrals involving complex medical cases from smaller hospitals and health facilities within its intended service area.

The provincial government expects the opening of the new Capiz Medical Center to improve access to hospital services while allowing the old RMPH to undergo rehabilitation.