The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., approved seven high-impact projects in an effort to stimulate the economy.
Among these projects is the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Center that was approved by the NEDA Board on Wednesday. This is the first public-private partnership (PPP) project under the current administration.
“These projects are expected to significantly contribute to achieving our social and economic transformation goal in the medium-term,” NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.
A separate 15 to 20-storey cancer center building will be built inside the UP-PGH.
Once the project is completed, it will be considered one of the largest cancer centers in Asia when it comes to bed capacity.
Balisacan clarified that PGH will remain a public hospital.
“One half of the facility, those who can afford to pay, mga mayayaman na nag-aavail ng service ng PGH, they can afford naman to pay so they pay, and part of the money can be used to subsidize those in the ward so that the quality of the service can be the same,” he said.
The NEDA Board also approved an increase in funding from P21.9 billion to P29.6 billion for MRT-3 rehabilitation.
“The system is being prepared also for potential PPP in the future but then again, the public interest consideration is always the highest agenda of the government, so hindi mangyayari yan even if eventually in the future i-PPP ang operations and maintenance,” he added.
A P2.12 billion loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency for the adjustment of the country’s air traffic management was also approved by the board. – Report from Mark Fetalco/KC-ag
