THE SOUTHERN Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) was recently recognized as the most sustainable and livable hospital in the Philippines, but continues to face overcrowding and understaffing challenges.
SPMC received the award during the 10th Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards at Okada Manila last April 22, 2026.
SPMC Medical Chief Dr. Ricardo Audan told reporters the award recognizes the hospital’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.
“These achievements are not merely institutional awards; they reflect the dedication of thousands of healthcare workers, administrative staff, and support personnel who continue to serve with excellence, compassion, and resilience,” Audan said in his speech before the 21st City Council on Tuesday.
Audan was also named an Honoree at the Grand Honors 2026 Asia Iconic Excellence and Innovation Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia, as Most Visionary Iconic Professional of the Year.
The council, through proponent councilor Trisha Ann Villafuerte, recognized SPMC during the regular session on Tuesday.
Villafuerte acknowledged SPMC for being awarded a 5-Green Star Rating and has consistently maintained this distinction for the past (4) four years under the Green
Viability Assessment of the Department of Health, ensuring that hospitals operate in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.
On top of the recognition as one of the Most Outstanding and Livable Hospitals, SPMC was also named among the Best Employers in the Philippines for 2026, ranked First Runner-up as Most Outstanding Level 3 Government Hospital nationwide, and proudly placed at Number 29 in the World’s Best Hospitals ranking in the Philippines.
However, with these awards, Audan emphasized that the hospital is continuously challenged to maintain quality service, especially since it is facing a 140% increase in admissions.
He stressed that as a government facility, SPMC does not decline patients, leading to overcrowding.
“We cater all over Mindanao, dapat by clustering, ang nahitabo mo bypass sila of that hospital because they know the capability, capacity of SPMC,” he said.
Audan said SPMC operates open heart surgery, organ transplant, and robotic surgery, among others, and is at par with Manila hospitals and even globally.
The hospital also caters to patients not only in the Davao region but also as far as Cotabato and Zamboanga.
In terms of staff number, the hospital has 6,300 employees of different personalities, consisting of around 3,000 nurses and 800 doctors.
Audan said the nurse-to-patient ratios are currently around 1:20 in the wards and 1:6 in the Intensive Care Unit, which exceeds the ideal ratios of 1:12 and 1:3, respectively.
For doctors, he reported larger numbers; there is also a significant shortage of specialists, particularly anesthesiologists and pediatricians.
At present, SPMC is in the hopes for the approval of House Bills 10666 and 5573, which are currently in the lower house, will be approved to increase the hospital’s bed capacity to 2,500.
This initiative was approved by the House Committee on Health just last March 2026, following the consolidation of House Bills 1066 and 5573.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to Isidro Ungab, the principal author of House BilI No. 1066, for his strong support in making this expansion possible. We likewise thank the seven congressmen of Davao Province who united in support of House Bill No. 5573,” he said.
Audan stressed that once it becomes a law, the hospital will have increased funding, budget and human resources, and improve facilities.
Pending the law, the hospital continues to make use of the hallways to accommodate patients, such as those admitted from the emergency room.
A new Pediatrics Institute was opened in November 2025, freeing up space previously used in the gym, while the Acute Trauma building located across from the emergency room is expected to open later this year to decongest the main ER.
The SPMC has been serving the people since 1917, starting as a modest facility with only 24 beds.
SPMC stands as the largest government hospital in the Philippines and the only Department of Health-retained hospital in Davao City.
