Groundbreaking Ceremony for MSUN Infirmary Hospital

Mindanao State University at Naawan marked a momentous turning point in its institutional history on November 15, 2025, with the groundbreaking of the MSUN Infirmary Hospital, a pioneering health facility poised to elevate community healthcare and academic training in Northern Mindanao. 

The ceremony, attended by national and local leaders, signaled the realization of a long-envisioned goal: building a university-managed infirmary that will serve both as a center for healing and a vital laboratory for learning.

“Today, we break ground not only on a building of bricks and mortar, but on a promise – a promise of better health, greater access to care, and stronger partnership for our people,” MSUN Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa declared.

𝘼 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩-𝙤𝙛-𝙞𝙩𝙨-𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣

The MSUN Infirmary Hospital is set apart by its distinct governance model and purpose. Funded through the Department of Health (DOH) under the General Appropriations Act, the facility will operate as a government infirmary but be managed directly by MSU at Naawan, a structure that is unique in the region.

“This infirmary hospital is unique compared to other infirmary hospitals because the infirmary will be built with DOH funding and will serve the public just as a government infirmary should, but it will be lovingly managed by Mindanao State University at Naawan,” Dr. Roa explained.

Through this arrangement, MSUN blends academic expertise with public health services, making the infirmary not only a medical facility but also a training institution, research hub, and community service center. It reflects the university’s emerging role as an anchor institution for health, knowledge, and socio-economic development in the region.

𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘼𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜

Once completed, the MSUN Infirmary Hospital will deliver essential primary healthcare and emergency services to residents of Naawan and nearby municipalities. This is particularly significant given the geographic challenges and limited medical access experienced by many communities in the area.

Under MSUN’s stewardship, the infirmary will also become a venue for hands-on training, community immersion, and applied research for students in health-related programs, education, social sciences, and allied fields. 

“Under the university’s care, this facility will nurture learning, encourage research, and give service to the community while following public health standards and attending to the needs of Naawan and our neighboring towns,” added Dr. Roa.

𝘼 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨

The groundbreaking ceremony gathered key figures from the national and local government, all expressing support for MSUN’s vision.

In attendance were Dr. Policarpio Murillo IV, representing Undersecretary Dr. Gregorio T. Murillo Jr., who oversees DOH’s major infrastructure programs; Dr. Sulpicio Henry M. Legaspi Jr., Regional Director of DOH Region 10, who highlighted the importance of expanding healthcare access in Northern Mindanao; Mr. Van Domingo, Assistant District Head, representing Deputy Speaker Cong. Yevgeny Vincente "Bambi" Emano, who extended congressional commitment to MSUN’s future development initiatives; and Hon. Dennis L. Roa, Mayor of Naawan, who reaffirmed the municipality’s support and close partnership with the university.

These representatives noted the project’s significance not only for Naawan but for the broader province, emphasizing how academic institutions like MSUN can play a transformative role in public health advancement.

“I consider facilities like this based in a university as a farm, that in the future we will be able to harvest whatever you have produced in the farm, to augment and help us in the much needed human health resource in the future,” said Dr. Policarpio Murillo IV. 

He further added: “Why is it so attractive to help the universities or SUCs in the health program is because you will also be helping us out in the provision of quality accessible health care particularly in the primary healthcare aspect. Because you are not only training future human health resource but also helping the community for the health needs.”

𝙄𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙐𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨

The ceremony also brought together key members of MSUN’s leadership and its project partners, reflecting strong institutional support for the hospital’s development. Among those present were Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Asst. Prof. Gergie A. Ambato, Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance Ms. Rhoda D. Perpetua, CPA, and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Initiatives Assoc. Prof. Frederick Cabactulan.

Representatives from the joint venture of MAHJ Builders and FP Alonto Construction, the project contractor, likewise graced the event, affirming their commitment to delivering a facility that upholds DOH standards and fulfills MSUN’s vision for improved healthcare access.

The event was also attended by OIPD Director Dr. Flordeline Cadeliña, OSIPS Director Assoc. Prof. Rosevel Colegado, university engineers, the campus architect, the Campus Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team, security personnel, and other MSUN personnel, together with representatives from LGU-Naawan, DOST-X, and the office of Cong. Emano.

𝘼 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚

The MSUN Infirmary Hospital represents more than infrastructure, it embodies MSUN’s mission of shaping a better, healthier, and more empowered community. Its construction marks a decisive step in the university’s journey toward expanding its academic horizons and deepening its social impact.

With the groundbreaking completed, the university now moves forward with purpose, backed by government partners, community leaders, and the MSUN community. The facility is expected to become a beacon of accessible healthcare, a training ground for future professionals, and an institutional landmark that symbolizes MSUN’s dedication to service and transformation.

As the university begins to build this long-awaited project, the spirit of collaboration, hope, and commitment remains at the heart of the endeavor – ensuring that the MSUN Infirmary Hospital will rise as a testament to the dreams and aspirations of the Naawan community and the entire Mindanao State University System.