The proposal to construct a hospital in Phil-Am Barangay has sparked a debate among proponents, residents, and zoning officials. The Baguio City Council called on concerned individuals during its regular session on January 20, 2025 to shed light on the issue.
The proposed project is a private 100-bed level 2 boutique hospital located near the Baguio General Hospital (BGH). Having four floors above ground for patient use, the hospital will specialize in cardiac services, dialysis, endoscopy, cancer treatment, and will include a blood bank. Proponents promise that it will offer state-of-the-art amenities, comparable to private hospitals in the city but with better services.
On October 26, 2024, Dr. Domingo Solimen, President of the United Baguio Doctors Hospital and Medical Center (UBDHMC), presented the project to some 95 residents of Phil-Am Barangay. However, concerns were raised not only from residents but also from the City Planning Development and Sustainability Office (CPDSO), represented by its assistant head, Elias Aoanan.
Opposition from residents arose primarily due to concerns about road access, the potential disruption of the area’s character as a residential zone, and frequent ambulance sirens especially during night time. They also questioned the project’s sewage disposal plans.
In response to strong opposition from residents, a barangay resolution, Resolution 187-2024, was passed, calling for the reconsideration of the project.
The Local Zoning Board of Adjustment and Appeals (LZBAA) denied the initial request for the zoning exemption on March 22, 2022. Following opposition during the public consultation, the LZBAA later issued a final decision in November 2024 denying the request again.
Despite the finality of the LZBAA’s decision, a letter submitted by Solimen presented signatures from residents allegedly supporting the project. This will be reviewed in an upcoming zoning board meeting on January 23, 2025.
Aoanan stressed that Phil-Am Barangay is a low-density residential zone where hospitals are not permitted under the city’s zoning ordinance and the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).
Aoanan further refuted the claim that he had conditioned the minds of residents to oppose the project, clarifying that his role was to provide factual information, specifically the zoning restrictions. He asserted that, as a city government employee, he is bound to enforce existing zoning regulations.
Punong Barangay Sarah Mina and Aoanan claimed that during the public consultation, participants were asked to show hands to indicate agreement or disagreement with the proposed project. However, due to the chaotic situation among the residents, no formal vote was conducted, and the results of the show of hands were not recorded.
Meanwhile, Solimen clarified that the proposed site is a private property owned by the UBDHMC. Addressing issues about narrow roads and traffic, he explained that they had conducted a traffic impact analysis and complied with requirements including providing a setback for road widening. However, parking for patients remains a partial challenge.
Solimen claimed that, based on a pre-pandemic feasibility study, Baguio City needs at least four additional hospitals to meet the growing demand for healthcare services and to handle future pandemics. He assured the city officials that the hospital’s facilities and environmental concerns had been addressed and approved by the Department of Health (DOH).
The UBDHMC president also refuted Aoanan’s claim that the denial of LZBAA was based on zoning restrictions and asserted that the denial involved a requirement to clear encumbrances on the title stating that the property should be used solely for residential purposes. He claimed that they had complied with this request for nearly a year, even resubmitting their application.
Attending the January 20 city council session, Charito Dulay, Edwin Tom, and Benjamin Lagman, all residents of Phil-Am Barangay, expressed concerns about the proposed construction of a hospital in their community. They emphasized the lack of communication, especially with senior citizens, about the hospital’s impact. They also raised traffic and pollution issues as well as public safety risks posed by the hospital’s location in a high-elevation area.
Several city council members, particularly Councilors Mylen Victoria Yaranon and Leandro Yangot Jr., argued that when the application was first made, the applicant should have been informed right away that the area could not be reclassified which would have saved them time and resources.
On the other hand, Councilor Jose Molintas, while expressing concerns about potential competition with BGH, emphasized the advantages of having another specialized healthcare facility, especially given that BGH is currently overwhelmed due to its role as a regional hospital.
The city council referred the matter to the Committee on Public Works for further study. **Jordan G. Habbiling
