By Brian Campued
“Ang kalusugan ninyo—patuloy nating tututukan.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterated the administration’s commitment to addressing the issues hounding the country’s healthcare system, noting that at least P500 billion has been allocated for the health sector this year.
In his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Allied Health Sciences Building on Friday, the President said the budget will be used to modernize hospital equipment and facilities, widen access to medical services for Filipinos, and address shortages in medical professionals.
According to Marcos Jr., over P427 billion was allocated to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth); P13 billion to specialty hospitals; nearly P9 billion to military and police hospitals; P98 billion to local government health programs; P1 billion for medical scholarships and tuition fee subsidies; and P1.4 billion for medical assistance and the implementation of the zero balance billing at the Philippine General Hospital.
“Hindi na po natin hahayaang magtiis sa sakit ang ating mga kababayan dahil sa kawalan ng pantustos [sa] pagpapagamot. Hindi natin hahayaang nahihirapan ang mga pamilya sa mga probinsya dahil sa layo ng kanilang lalakbayin para makarating sa ospital,” he said.
“Patuloy po nating gagawing prayoridad ang kaligtasan, kalusugan, at kaginhawahan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
New PLM allied health sciences building
The President likewise called for continued cooperation between the national government and local government units (LGUs) to meet the needs of the people.
He touted the construction of the new PLM facility, a project of the city government of Manila, as key to strengthening public medical education and elevating the quality of healthcare services in the country, especially in developing a pool of highly skilled and principled Filipino medical professionals.
“Sa pagtatayo ng College of Allied Health Sciences Building, mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang nakababatang henerasyon na aralin ang mga kursong pang-medisina. Sila po ang mga susunod na haligi ng ating sektor ng pangkalusugan,” Marcos Jr. said.
“Hangad din nating maging halimbawa ang proyektong ito upang mapalawak ang sakop at mapabuti ang kalidad ng edukasyon na ating inihahatid sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.
To be constructed through the conversion and retrofitting of the old Ospital ng Maynila facility in Malate, the new five-storey PLM building will have modern classrooms, laboratories, simulation rooms, research facilities, and faculty offices.
Once operational, the College of Allied Health Services will house programs in medicine, nursing, physical therapy, medical technology, pharmaceutical sciences, and radiologic technology.
Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso thanked the national government for supporting the project, assuring the President that the budget will not be wasted.
“Tatapatan po namin ng sipag at mabilis na kilos ang mabilis ninyo ring aksiyon at tugon sa usaping pangkalusugan. Dito man lang, kaming mga batang Maynila, masuklian ang inyong pagmamalasakit sa amin, that we will deliver on time as prescribed in our goals,” the local chief executive said.
Hospital visit
During the event, the President turned over P15 million in assistance to the President Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital or the Baseco Hospital in Port Area to further improve its facilities and services.
Following the ceremony, Marcos Jr. toured the new OMMC, including the mammogram room, MRI room, CT scan imaging room, and the cardiovascular catheterization laboratory.
He likewise checked on the situation of the patients in the pediatric ward.
The Chief Executive praised the OMMC for recording the highest number of patients who have consulted under the PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) in September 2025.
“Patuloy tayong magtatrabaho at ito ay patunay na malayo ang naaabot ng ating serbisyo kung mayroong koordinasyon ang pambansang pamahalaan, ang LGU, iba’t ibang ahensiya ng mga gobyerno, mga NGO, at siyempre ang taumbayan,” Marcos Jr. said.
He also urged the public to take advantage of available health programs and services.
“Samantalahin ninyo ang mga programang ito upang mapangalagaan ang inyong mga sarili. Bukas po ang mga serbisyong ito para sa lahat—lalo na sa higit na nangangailangan.”
-jpv
