The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in Bacolod City has reduced its bed capacity from 27 to 17 only.

The hospital is not receiving women on high-risk pregnancy, beginning December 22, 2025, after Candida auris was detected, a kind of infection.

“Isa itong fungal infection. Usually sa hospital ito at matapang na uri ng fungus. Ang kanyang ini-infect, ang mga may mahina ang resistensya. Medyo mahirap siyang gamutin, medyo mataas [na] anti-fungi ang kailangan,” Dr. Titania Deocadez, medical specialist, said.

Three of 17 babies in the facility were found positive of infection. The infected babies were on isolation while infection control was undertaken. 

"Sa premature kung ma-infect, malaking problema. Sa ngayon, controlled ang infection at contained na namin. Marami ang premature, sa lahat sa kanila, isa lang ang kumpleto sa buwan,” said Dr. Sandra Montelibano, medical specialist.

Based on background investigation done on the hospital, several women who gave birth in the facility did not go through prenatal checkup, which means there was no proper monitoring of their pregnancy. 

"Karamihan sa kanila, teenage mothers. Most of them walang prenatal checkup. Nahihiya sila na i-reveal ang kanilang pregnancy,” Dr. Nesne Jane Lamasan, in charge of the Pediatrics Unit, said.

The hospital pointed out, though, that only high-risk pregnancies will not be accepted.

Women who are capable of undergoing normal delivery will be attended to.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) assured that they will focus tightly on the monitoring at the barangay level to guide pregnant women.

"To those who are in need ng psychosocial counseling or assistance in terms of other social services, we are in close coordination with barangay (na tumututok) sa ating family welfare program and at thesame time, area social workers,” said Dr. Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga, head of the Department of Social Services and Development Bacolod.