As part of its continuing efforts to elevate the quality and scope of its healthcare services in Central Luzon, the Dr. Paulino J. Garcia Memorial Research and Medical Center (DPJGMRMC) has achieved the Proficient Status under the Institute for Solidarity in Asia’s (ISA) governance framework, the Performance Governance System (PGS).
During a public revalida last May 9, 2025, DPJGMRMC was awarded a Gold Trailblazer Award as they completed the third stage of the PGS pathway. The Public Revalida is a democratic exercise that validates a public institution’s completion of the four stages of the PGS. Enrolled institutions include the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Health (DOH), among others.
DPJGMRMC’s Medical Center Chief, Dr. Jose Ravinar Austria, presented the challenges and the initiatives they took to turn their strategic position into reality. In their pursuit of “Kalusagang Pangkalahatan”, DPJGMRMC envisions itself as a “1000-bed regional apex medical center serving Central Luzon by 2028”.
Their transformation journey began during the Philippine Heart Center’s PGS Summit in 2018, where DPJGMRMC developed its Strategy Map. Not long after, the medical center was conferred the PGS Initiated Status, the first stage of the four-stage PGS pathway, where they bagged their first Gold Trailblazer Award in 2019, which was shortly followed by their second Gold Trailblazer, during their conferral of the PGS Compliance Status in 2021.
Among their monumental breakthroughs are establishing six specialty centers now operating at over 90% functionality based on the DOH’s Resource Stratified Framework. Patients across Central Luzon can access specialized care at the hospital’s Lung Center and Trauma Center, while the Cardiovascular Care Center provides advanced treatment and conducts regular surgical missions. The hospital has also established one of only seven DOH-designated Burn Care Centers in the Philippines at 100% functionality.
Additionally, the Eye Care Center of DPJGMRMC has completed 23 cornea transplants as of 2024, and the Renal Care and Kidney Center successfully performed the first two kidney transplants in Nueva Ecija—a notable first for government hospitals in Central Luzon.
Despite its progress, DPJGMRMC encountered challenges in its governance journey, particularly in strengthening human resources for its specialty centers, as noted during the panel evaluation led by Dr. Glory Baltazar, ISA Fellow, and Medical Center Chief of Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center. In response, Dr. Austria shared innovative strategies taken by the institution, including establishing residency and training programs and deploying graduates for subspecialty training.
“We have homegrown doctors, who are our graduates and who took their subspecialty training to support these specialty programs of Paulino Garcia,” he said.
With its wide array of services, Dr. Austria also expressed that they regularly consult their stakeholders through their Multi-Sectoral Governance Council to ensure that the needs of their stakeholders are being addressed and met. This proactive approach was commended by one of the panelists, Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, Undersecretary for the Department of Health.
“I think that’s very laudable. Maganda kasi aside from [DPJGMRMC], there is a team working with you to provide these operational improvements so that you can achieve or you can address the different gaps in your system,” the undersecretary shared.
Guided by their principle, “Sa Bagong Paulino, May Puso ang Serbisyo,” the medical center has transformed governance from a purely technical mandate into a mission-driven by compassion. This approach is anchored in accountability and a deep responsiveness to the needs of its stakeholders. Dr. Austria also highlighted the staff’s enthusiasm and willingness to embrace the changes and their active role in implementing new strategies.
“We lead by example. We did it first. Then we involved everyone. Then we promoted the can-do attitude. You can’t just be here, you should be with us,” he said.
Following their conferral of the PGS Proficient status, the Medical Center Chief received DPJGMRMC’s third Gold Trailblazer Award. On behalf of the institution, Dr. Austria extended his gratitude to external stakeholders, the panelists, and all their employees.
“We brought our stakeholders to the center of reform. And we bridged the gap between plans and people through inclusive, community-based service models,” the medical center chief said in his acceptance speech.
“These efforts were not just about innovation—they were about impact. Today, we see real results: improved access to care, expanded public health services, stronger financial protection, and growing public trust. Behind every number is a story—a patient healed, a family comforted, a community empowered.”
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The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) is a non-partisan, non-profit governance reform organization that envisions a Dream Philippines where every government institution delivers and every citizen participates and prospers.
