09/10/2026
Excellence in Action: How CLMMRH Is Shaping the Future of Hospital Operations
When healthcare leaders from across the nation gathered for the Integrated Hospital Operations and Management Program (IHOMP) Conference 2026, held on September 21–25, 2026, at Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu City, under the theme “Transforming Hospital System through Quality, Equity, and Innovation,” one regional institution stood out for its commitment to operational excellence: the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH).
Representing the Negros Island Region (NIR) on the national stage, CLMMRH demonstrated why it continues to uphold high standards in public healthcare delivery. The hospital achieved national distinction after being named the 2nd-Highest-Rated Integrated Hospital Operations Management Standard Compliance Awardee by the Department of Health (DOH) in 2025. This recognition affirmed the institution’s commitment to quality, patient safety, and systematic hospital management.
A key highlight of the conference was the active participation of Mr. John Michael Gabriel T. Zaragoza, MDM, one of the featured resource speakers. In his capacity as CLMMRH’s IHOMP Committee Chairperson, Mr. Zaragoza shared insights into the strategic implementation of operational frameworks, data-driven management, and quality control systems that contributed to the hospital’s high compliance rating. His session provided peer institutions with practical perspectives on translating regulatory standards into effective, day-to-day hospital operations.
The presence of CLMMRH’s executive leadership further underscored the institution’s commitment to continuous improvement. Dr. Joan E. Cerrada, Medical Center Chief II, attended the conference alongside national health directors, hospital administrators, and healthcare policy experts. Her participation in the plenary sessions and strategic discussions reflected CLMMRH’s proactive approach to advancing national health reforms, exploring innovative solutions, and strengthening collaboration across the public healthcare network.
Under her leadership, CLMMRH continues to align its operational strategies with the DOH’s broader agenda of delivering equitable, responsive, and modern healthcare services.
For CLMMRH, the significance of IHOMP extends far beyond audit forms, performance ratings, and regulatory requirements. It is not merely a compliance framework but a continuing commitment to excellence that calls on every healthcare professional, administrator, and staff member to uphold quality, accountability, and patient-centered service in everyday practice.
National awards and high compliance ratings are meaningful milestones, but they are also markers of progress along an ongoing journey. By embracing IHOMP as a sustained institutional commitment rather than a static requirement, CLMMRH transforms established standards into meaningful improvements in hospital operations and patient care.
As the hospital moves forward, its IHOMP achievements serve not only as recognition of excellence already attained but also as an enduring challenge to innovate, strengthen systems, and continuously improve the delivery of public healthcare. Ultimately, excellence in hospital operations is measured not only by compliance scores or national recognition, but by how effectively these translate into safer, more accessible, equitable, and compassionate care for every patient who walks through CLMMRH’s doors.
Photo credit: DOH – Health Facility Development Bureau
