2nd Edition of Public Health World Conference (PHWC) 2026

Abstract

Introduction. Southern Tagalog Region IV-A (CALABARZON) is among the Philippines’ most populous and rapidly urbanizing regions, yet access to advanced hospital care remains uneven. Equitable availability of Level 2 and 3 hospitals—capable of providing surgical and specialized services—is critical for achieving the objectives of Universal Health Care (UHC). This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to analyze the spatial distribution, accessibility, and population coverage of these hospitals across Region IV-A, with the Mindoro provinces from Region IV-B included due to geographic proximity and referral patterns.

Method. Hospital data were sourced from the Department of Health’s National Health Facility Registry and validated through supplementary directories. Geographic coordinates were obtained from OpenStreetMap, while population data were drawn from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the DOH. Using ArcGIS, hospitals were mapped, the nearest facility for each municipality was determined via Euclidean distance, and service populations were estimated by aggregating populations of municipalities assigned to each hospital.

Results. Findings indicate a pronounced clustering of Level 2 and 3 hospitals in highly urbanized areas such as Calamba, Lucena, Batangas City, and Lipa City. Conversely, remote municipalities, particularly in Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro, face substantial access gaps, with some areas located over 100 km from the nearest advanced facility. Service coverage analysis reveals severe capacity mismatches, with some hospitals serving millions, far exceeding their designed capacity.

Conclusion. This study highlights critical geographic inequities in advanced surgical care across Southern Tagalog and Mindoro. GIS analysis identifies specific municipalities where delays in accessing timely care are likely. These findings provide actionable insights for the Department of Health, local government units, and regional planners, informing the strategic placement of new or upgraded Level 2 and 3 hospitals, optimizing resource allocation, and advancing the equity goals of Universal Health Care.