History of SJSBH

In the landlocked and underdeveloped province of Bukidnon people who arrived from different parts of
the Philippines, were allotted homesteads by the government. (This was after World War II when
Mindanao was officially declared as the “Land of Promise”). These poor people, full of hopes, risked
hardships and uncertainty in order to have a better future for themselves and for their children. Entire
families with meager belongings arrived in government vehicles or logging trucks. Conditions were very
difficult for them in the new setting-inadequate food, cold weather, hard work, fatigue and illness.

In those days, people had no one to turn to when illness or serious injury truck except the missionaries,
but they could give only what was available for common ailments or the “holy oils”.

The seriously ill and injured were transported in the Father’s jeep to the provincial hospital in
Malaybalay, about 6 hours travel over primitive roads. Rides got stuck up in deep or muddy ruts. Some
lives were saved but many succumbed along the way.

The compassion of the Jesuit missionaries moved them to remedy this sad situation.

Maramag, a town located in the Southern part of Bukidnon, is at the crossroad to Cagayan de Oro and
Davao cities, to Lanao del Sur and Cotabato. Because of its strategic location, Maramag became the
springboard for Jesuit missionary activities.

Finally, the dream realized on May 1, 1970, Bishop Francisco Claver, SJ, first Bishop of the Prelature of
Malaybalay, blessed the new 25 bed hospital and gave it the name “Southern Bukidnon Hospital” since it
was to serve the people of Southern Bukidnon Province. There was great rejoicing that at last; the sick
could be well taken care of.

The management and supervision of a growing hospital complex called for additional Sister – man
power. More SPC Sisters were assigned to Maramag and assigned to the different hospital sections to
reinforce the professional staff.

EXPANSION

On 1972, the hospital reached out to the needy in the community. A mobile clinic was donated by
a Jesuit School in the USA and was under Sr. Milagros Calaycay, SPC.

The small hospital was sorely inadequate for the health needs of the people. Beds had double
occupants and benches along corridors were used for incoming patients. Hence, a badly needed
Annex was built to raise the patient accommodations to 47. A Jesuit benefactor who choose not to
reveal his identity, gave the money needed for this expansion. It was blessed in July 1978 by Bishop
Claver.

The first Doctor was Dr. Carlos Gamboa, who held for only a month. Others followed but no one
stayed long enough. Dr. Teofanes S. Agcopra, arrived in 1972 and stayed on for 15 years.
Dedicated, persevering and simple, he became revered for his good patient management and most of
all for his generosity and compassion for the poor. There was only one lay registered nurse, Mrs.
Teresita Sale – Macias, a devoted Paulinian graduated, who with the Sister – nurse cared for the sick,
unmindful of hours and kind of work. They were ably assisted by young nursing aides and orderlies
trained by the Sisters.

CHANGE SITUATION

Because of improved roads, greater number of jeeps and buses and of the existence of several hospitals
and clinics relatively near it, Southern Bukidnon Hospital lowered its bed capacity to 60, then 40. this
adjustment was necessitated by the ratio requirements of the Department of Health

On the 22nd Foundation Anniversary, Bishop Rosales added to the name of St. Joseph to the Hospital’s
appellation as a reminder to all that he is the Hospital’s principal intercessor to God for the material and
spiritual needs of Patients, personnel and the Hospital. This moved was approved by the Security
Exchange Commission {SEC}.

Last May 1, 1995 SJSBH turns 25th. During the Jubilee Mass with almost all the diocesan clergy present,
Father John Krebs, SJ Regional superior, in the name of Father Noel Velasco, Jesuit Provincial Superior,
formally turned over the ownership of the Society of Jesus of SJSBH to the Diocese of Malaybalay
through Msgr. Honesto Ch. Pacana, SJ the third Bishop of the Diocese of Malaybalay.

Bishop of the Diocese of Malaybalay - MGSR. JOSE ARANETA CABATAN, SJ, D.D.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Last September 30, 2006, Doctors Poly Clinic was formally opened to the people of Bukidnon.

On May 1, 2007, During the 37th Foundation Anniversary of the Hospital. Bishop Honesto Ch. Pacana,
blessed the new Intensive Care Unit and the Hemodialysis Unit. Through the Effort of Sr. Aurora J.
Caspe, SPC and Dr. Edmundo G. Garcia

SJSBH aims to maximize and to continue to improve its service, and strives to assure its sustainability.
As part of the local church, SJSBH stands primarily to witness to God’s love for the poor.