VELOSO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
The DR. MANUEL B. VELOSO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, located on a hilly place at Mabini Street, Palompon, Leyte, is a 75-bed capacity hospital. It is patronized by four (4) municipalities namely: Palompon, Villaba, Tabango and Isabel, as its catchment area, with an aggregate population of 160,961, based on the population census of 2005. Looking back on June 18, 1960, under R.A.
2659, the Palompon General Hospital (its first official name) came into existence as a 25-bed capacity hospital. Then R.A. 5720 was enacted on June 21, 1969, changing the name of the hospital into Dr. Manuel B. Meanwhile R.A. No. 6599 was approved on October 23, 1972, increasing the bed capacity to 75. While the construction of the building was underway, the Puericulture Center near the town’s municipal hall was utilized as the temporary hospital with a 12-bed compliment. With an initial staff organized by Dr. Rafael Omega Jr., the former Chief of Hospital of Ormoc District Hospital, Ormoc City and the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City, the DR. MANUEL B. VELOSO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL opened its door to the patients for the first time on SEPTEMBER 1, 1970 – which is also considered the hospital’s Foundation Day. The late Dr. Rodolfo S. Cam was the Chief of Hospital from January 11, 1971 to June 15, 1981. On June 16 of that year Dr. Romeo A. Beltran took over the leadership as Officer-In-Charge. From September 16, 1982 to July 8, 1993, Dr. Dometilo U. Redulla was the Chief of Hospital. The leadership of the hospital was turned over again to Dr. Romeo Beltran as its Officer-In-Charge on July 9, 1993. On November 11, 1993, Dr. Beltran was finally appointed as Chief of Hospital of the Dr. Manuel B. For years this hospital has been dedicated to caring for others. But it did not stop there; the hospital is trying to break new grounds learning the commitment and the compassion of reaching out to all who are in need. Its goal is to reconcile both the expectation and the reality of patient care. This has been the challenge which had proved to be rewarding. As long as sick people need people who are concerned and caring the Dr. Manuel B. Veloso Memorial Hospital is here to stay.
