The Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday unanimously recognized the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for earning honors in local and international stages through its continued excellence in service to the people of Davao and the rest of Mindanao.
Davao City Councilor Trisha Villafuerte, during her privileged speech, stated that SPMC received various awards that reflected its high standard of public service. She noted that among these is the Most Sustainable and Livable Hospital in the Philippines, conferred on SPMC on April 22, 2026, during the 10th Nation Builders and MOSLIV Awards.
“I commend our doctors, nurses, administrators, and every worker in the hospital who, day in and day out, make SPMC not just functional, but livable—for the patients, for the staff, and for the communities it serves,” she said.
She also highlighted that SPMC Medical Center Chief Dr. Ricardo B. Audan was named the Most Visionary Iconic Professional of the Year at the Grand Honors 2026 Asia Iconic Excellence and Innovation Awards in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“This international accolade, conferred by Star Iconic Media, places Dr. Audan among the most distinguished healthcare leaders in Asia. Leadership of this caliber is rare; when we find it in a public institution, we owe it our loudest applause and deepest gratitude,” Villafuerte added.
Also, Villafuerte mentioned that SPMC received the Most Outstanding Hospital Award (First Runner-Up) in the Government Sector Level 3 Category. She noted that on February 25, 2026, Newsweek and Statista published the “World’s Best Hospitals 2026” list, where SPMC ranked 29th in the Philippines. She emphasized that this ranking serves as a global stamp of credibility, as it is based on quality of care, patient outcomes, peer recommendations, and institutional performance.
The Southern Philippines Medical Center has also been awarded a 5-Green Star Rating, maintaining this distinction for four consecutive years under the Department of Health’s Green Viability Assessment. This ensures that the hospital operates in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.
Additionally, SPMC proved itself a top-tier workplace, ranking 142nd out of 300 employers nationwide in the “Philippine Best Employers 2026” survey, which gathered feedback from over 16,000 employees across 3,400 companies.
“These awards are for every Dabawenyo, Mindanaoan, and Filipino who has ever depended on this institution. They proved that public service, done with conviction, is never in vain,” Villafuerte said. “On behalf of my colleagues, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire SPMC family.”
In response, Dr. Audan stated he was honored that SPMC was formally recognized as an institution for the first time. He remarked that the awards reflected the efforts of dedicated healthcare workers who serve with excellence, compassion, and resilience.
He affirmed the institution’s commitment to improving quality of care, noting that they are currently awaiting the passage of House Bill 5573. The bill seeks to expand SPMC’s authorized capacity from 1,500 to 2,500 beds.
“This development is a crucial step toward our goal of strengthening specialized healthcare in Mindanao, ensuring patients no longer need to travel to Manila for advanced procedures,” Audan said. CIO