Including facilities, equipment, and medical professionals—especially in underserved communities.
After leading the the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Allied Health Sciences Building in Manila, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. noted in his speech the government’s move to address the shortages in the healthcare sector.
Citing the over PHP500 billion allocation in health in 2026, “Kaya’t bilang suporta ng pamahalaan, hindi bababa sa 500 bilyong piso ang inilaan natin sa budget ngayon upang maging mas epektibo ang ating health sector.”
More than PHP427 billion went to the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), while PHP13 billion are for specialty hospitals.
PHP1.4 billion budget was allocated for medical assistance and the implementation of the zero balance billing at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
Nearly PHP9 billion has also been pegged for hospitals of the Department of National Defense and the Philippine National Police, and almost PHP98 billion to local government health programs,
For medical scholarships and tuition fee subsidies for students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), the government allocated more than PHP1 billion.
“Lahat ng ito ay inaasahang magpapabuti ng serbisyong medikal at magpapalakas ng ating health sector,” with Marcos calling on the public to take advantage of the government’s health-related programs.
He also acknowledged the challenges Filipinos face in healthcare, such as limited access to medical services, inadequate modern technology and facilities in hospitals, and insufficient healthcare centers and healthcare workers.
“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,” the Chief Executive told.
MANILA HEALTHCARE EDUCATION, SERVICES
As mentioned, the ceremony centered around the groundbreaking for the five-storey PLM College of Allied Health Services building, which will feature modern classrooms, laboratories, simulation rooms, research facilities, and faculty offices.
It will be built at the Ospital ng Maynila Conplex along Quirino Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard in Malate.
“Sa pagtatayo ng College of Allied Health Sciences Building, mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang nakakabatang henerasyon na aralin ang mga kursong pang-medisina. Sila po ang mga susunod na haligi ng ating sektor ng pangkalusugan,” said PBBM.
He continued, “Hangad din nating maging halimbawa ang proyektong ito upang mas mapalawak ang sakop at mapabuti ang kalidad ng edukasyon na ating inihahatid sa ating mga kababayan.”
The President also visited the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center (OMMC), which logged the highest first-patient encounter or number of patients who have consulted under PhilHealth’s Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) last September.
During the event, President Marcos turned over PHP15 million in assistance to the Baseco Hospital to further improve its facilities and services.