CALAMBA CITY, Laguna-PATIENTS in Laguna and nearby provinces no longer need to travel to Metro Manila for specialized ear, nose, and throat care, as the Calamba Medical Center (CMC) officially launched its new ENT Center in a media event that highlighted the hospital’s growing capacity to provide advanced and compassionate healthcare.
Held at the hospital in Calamba City, the launch gathered members of the media, hospital leaders, and ENT specialists who introduced the public to the center’s services and the medical team behind it.
The newly opened facility is designed to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.
Equipped with modern diagnostic tools and advanced surgical capabilities, the center aims to make specialized care more accessible to residents in Laguna and nearby provinces.
For Chief Medical Officer Dra. Rodora Ocampo, who is also an ENT specialist, the center represents a major step in addressing the healthcare needs of the community.
“Ipinapakilala namin ang ENT Center upang maibigay ang mga diagnostic test at kakayahang gamutin ang mga ganitong sakit. Hindi na kailangang pumunta pa sa Maynila para sa mga espesyal na gamutan,” Ocampo said.
She explained that the center can treat a wide range of conditions—from common infections to complex surgical cases.
“May mga problema sa tenga na naooperahan na ngayon, tulad ng may butas sa eardrum o chronic otitis. Dati kailangan pang dalhin sa Maynila, pero ngayon puwede na itong gawin dito sa Calamba,” she added.
The ENT Center is staffed by 14 specialists, a significant growth from the hospital’s earlier team of just two doctors. Many of the specialists have undergone training and subspecialization in other Asian countries, focusing on fields such as laryngology, ear surgery, facial plastic procedures, and sleep medicine.
Nag-start kami sa dalawa, hanggang sa nag-invite kami ng mga specialist na may sub-specialization. Yung iba ay naka-focus sa tenga, yung iba sa laryngology o sa head and neck procedures,” Ocampo explained.
Among the services offered are procedures for chronic ear conditions, vocal cord evaluation, and screening for throat problems that could potentially lead to cancer.
“Sa throat, may instrumento kami para makita ang vocal cords kung may polyps o kung makapal na ito para maagapan at maprevent ang cancer,” she said.
The center also places strong emphasis on hearing care, particularly for infants and children.
“May newborn hearing test kami at mayroon ding hearing evaluation para sa mas matatanda. Kapag nag-fail ang baby sa test, malalaman agad kung may hearing loss at maaari na siyang mabigyan ng speech therapy o hearing aid kung kinakailangan,” Ocampo explained.
She also expressed hope that hearing aids could eventually be covered by PhilHealth to make treatment more accessible.
“Sana maisama na rin ito sa PhilHealth para mas maging abot-kaya sa mga pasyente,” she said, noting that affordability remains an important part of the hospital’s mission.
Doctors also urged the public not to ignore symptoms that persist longer than usual.
“Kapag ang sipon ay lampas na ng isang linggo, o may pagkapaos na hindi nawawala, magpatingin na sa espesyalista,” Ocampo advised.
Seasonal activities can also trigger certain conditions. According to Ocampo, ear problems often increase during the summer months.
“Sa summer, isa sa mga pinaka-common na problema sa tenga ay galing sa swimming,” she said.
Beyond medical treatment, hospital officials emphasized that the ENT Center was created to better respond to the needs of patients and the community.
“Ang pinaka-importante ay nandito kami para sumagot at tumugon sa pangangailangan ng mga pasyente at maging sa pamahalaan. Layunin naming magbigay ng comprehensive ENT care,” Ocampo said.
In her welcome remarks, Atty. Pilar Nenuca P. Almira, President and CEO of Calamba Medical Center (CMC),
described the launch of the hospital’s ENT Center as a significant milestone in its mission to expand specialized healthcare services for patients in Laguna and nearby areas.
“In Calamba Medical Center, we make sure that we provide what our patients need. We are very honored to have ENT doctors with us. This is a milestone for CMC because today we have decided to make a mark—to provide services that will truly address what our patients need in the field of ENT,” Almira said.
She emphasized that the hospital aims to provide quality care through experienced specialists, modern technology, and comprehensive services so that patients no longer have to travel far to receive treatment.
“We are honored to have the best ENT doctors, the best services, and the technology needed to address the needs of patients—not only in Calamba City but also in nearby cities and provinces. Hindi na kailangang pumunta sa Maynila para matugunan ang kanilang mga problema sa ears, nose, and throat. she added.
Almira also highlighted the importance of ear, nose, and throat health in people’s everyday lives, noting that hearing, speaking, and breathing are essential for communication and human interaction.
“The functions of the ears, nose, and throat are very critical in the lives of many people. People need to hear, they need to speak, and they need to communicate. These senses allow us to listen carefully and respond properly. Hearing and speaking are two senses that are very critical in communicating with others,” she said.
She noted that ENT conditions are sometimes overlooked compared to other medical concerns.
“Sometimes ENT concerns are taken for granted. People focus more on the heart, lungs, or pancreas, which are also very important. But to connect and communicate well with others, hearing and speaking are equally important,” Almira explained.
The hospital chief also called on members of the media to help inform communities about the services now available at CMC.
“Today we are requesting our media partners to help communicate to various communities what Calamba Medical Center can offer and the commitment of our ENT doctors to provide the best possible care for our patients who come to CMC,” she said.
As the hospital formally opened the center, Almira reaffirmed CMC’s commitment to leadership and innovation in the field of ENT care.
“As we begin today, we are committed to continue to grow and lead—not just as a hospital but specifically in the field of ENT. This is a field where we hope to be recognized as a leader in the country, as we continue our efforts in research, services, and technology related to hearing, nose, and throat care,” she said.
“Sa araw na ito, nais naming makilala hindi lamang sa Pilipinas kundi bilang isa sa mga lider sa larangan ng ENT care. Sa ngalan ng CMC, kami ay handang maglingkod at patuloy na magbigay ng de-kalidad na serbisyong medikal,” Almira added.
She also expressed her gratitude to the hospital’s ENT specialists for their dedication to expanding specialized healthcare services.
“Gusto kong magpasalamat kay Dr. Michael Galicia at sa buong ENT team para sa kanilang suporta at dedikasyon sa pagpapaunlad ng serbisyong ito,” she said.
The new center adds to the growing list of specialty services offered by CMC, a 160-bed Level 2 hospital located in Barangay Real, Crossing, Calamba City.
The hospital is also home to several Centers of Excellence, including the Calamba Eye Center, Calamba Cancer Center, Calamba Kidney Care Center—one of the largest dialysis facilities in Laguna—and the Diabetes Care Center.
The ENT Center currently has 14 specialists, a significant increase from the hospital’s earlier team of two doctors. Many of them trained in different parts of Asia and have subspecialties in areas such as ear surgery, laryngology, sleep medicine, and head and neck procedures.
Meanwhile, Dr. Michael Galicia, Director of the ENT Center, said the department has steadily grown since its early years.
“Bilang isang batang graduate noong 2008, nagsimula kami sa maliit na grupo, at ngayon mayroon na kaming 15 miyembro. Layunin naming maging pinaka-comprehensive diagnostic ENT center sa Calabarzon, at dito sa CMC,” Galicia said.
Hospital officials said the launch of the ENT Center is part of the institution’s broader mission to expand specialty services and strengthen healthcare access across Southern Luzon.