The municipality of Sablayan has donated four hectares of land to support the establishment of a proposed provincial hospital, officials announced Friday.

The Sangguniang Bayan formalized the donation through a resolution adopted in October.

The land is intended for the Department of Health (DOH) to construct the Occidental Mindoro General Hospital, a Level II facility.

The donation is in support of House Bill No. 5697, filed by Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody “Odie” F. Tarriela.

The bill seeks to address the province’s lack of a Level II hospital, which currently forces residents to seek specialized care outside Occidental Mindoro.

“Being geographically located at the center of the province, the establishment of the hospital in Sablayan is of utmost importance,” the SB resolution pointed out.

The proposed facility would primarily serve Sablayan and neighboring towns. Level II hospitals provide basic specialty care including pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology.

The SB resolution requests support from DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa and Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio Albornoz. It also calls on the Senate to enact corresponding legislation.

Sablayan Mayor Walter “Bong” B. Marquez, Vice Mayor Edwin N. Mintu and councilors unanimously approved the measure.

In a statement, Tarriela thanked LGU Sablayan, saying the hospital would allow residents “to receive specialized care without traveling elsewhere.”

House Bill 5697 mandates the DOH to implement the project upon the bill’s passage, with funding to be sourced from the annual national budget.