Long before the ceremonial shovels broke ground in July 2024, the vision for the Liloan Children’s Hospital had already taken root; not in a legislative chamber, but in the heart of a young mayor who had just begun his public service journey.

In 2007, Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco assumed office as mayor of Liloan, Cebu. Among the many goals he set for the growing municipality, one dream quietly persisted: To build a hospital devoted entirely to the needs of children. It was an aspiration born from both governance and growing empathy — a belief that healthcare, especially for the youngest and most vulnerable, should be closer to home and tailored to their unique needs.

Nearly two decades later, that dream has become a national statute.

Now serving a fresh mandate as Representative of Cebu’s 5th District, Frasco authored House Bill No. 8274, the cornerstone legislation that led to the enactment of Republic Act 11886 in 2022. The law paved the way for the establishment of the Liloan Children’s Hospital, which is now taking shape as a pioneering pediatric facility not just for Liloan, but for Cebu, the Visayas, and beyond.

For Frasco, the fulfillment of this project is more than a legislative milestone. “Becoming a father changes the way you look at the world,” he shared. “Suddenly, policy isn’t just policy, it becomes personal. You begin to see the cracks in the system not just as gaps in governance, but as potential dangers for your own children. And so you act, not just as a leader, but as a parent.”

Frasco is a proud father of four, and his journey through parenthood has profoundly influenced the way he approaches public service. The sleepless nights, the hospital visits, the constant worry and boundless hope that come with raising children; all of these, he says, have shaped his understanding of what families truly need.

“With every decision, I think about my own children. But I also think about the children in Liloan, in the 5th District, and across Cebu; those whose parents may not have the means or access to proper healthcare. That’s where public service steps in.”

The Liloan Children’s Hospital, now rising from blueprint to reality, is a reflection of this conviction. It is a structure that represents a father’s pledge.

Once completed, the hospital will offer comprehensive pediatric and maternal health services, including prenatal care, emergency response, immunization, nutrition counseling, parenting education and more.