It aims to improve access to critical and specialized medical services outside Metro Manila.
On Friday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the government’s agenda to establish specialty healthcare centers nationwide,
Citing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which he told exposed weaknesses in the country’s healthcare system, particularly the lack of specialized medical centers outside the capital region, the government is now expanding healthcare infrastructure to bring advanced medical services to Filipinos in the provinces.
“So all of this is kailangan talaga natin at patuloy nating ginagawa at nagpapatayo tayo,” the Chief Executive told, as he announced the administration’s targeting of establishing 349 specialty centers nationwide by 2028.
He shared this as he led the opening of the Brain and Spine Center at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, which marks a major expansion of specialized healthcare services in Northern Luzon.
The newly-opened facility has a 30-bed capacity and two operating room theaters designed to strengthen the hospital’s capability in stroke management, neurosurgery, neurophysiology, neurodiagnostics, and specialized neurological care for patients in Region II and nearby provinces.
The center also features an Acute Stroke Unit, Neurosurgery Complex, Neurophysiology Unit, and advanced diagnostic services aimed at improving access to comprehensive brain and spine treatment outside Metro Manila.
Tje President, along with other officials, inspected the new facility. He went inside the operating room and the patient’s ward located at the second floor.
The inauguration is said to be part of the administration’s push to expand accessible and quality healthcare through the Universal Health Care Act and the Regional Specialty Centers Act.
During the event, government officials also led the groundbreaking of the proposed four-storey Heart, Lung, Renal Care and Kidney Transplant Center within the CVMC compound, which will focus on advanced cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, and transplant services.
There will be a 25-bed Heart Center equipped with a cardiac catheterization laboratory and hybrid operating room, a 25-bed Renal Center with a 25-unit hemodialysis facility, and a separate Lung Center with its own operating complex and pulmonary rehabilitation area.
Construction of the facility is expected to begin in June 2026 and targeted for completion by June 2027.
Meanwhile, Marcos also highlighted the continued expansion of health benefits under PhilHealth, saying the state insurer remains financially capable of increasing medical assistance coverage.
“Ang PhilHealth naman, very healthy naman. Kaya naman nila siguro mag-cover. Kaya tinitingnan natin kung ano ba ang mga mas maidagdag pa na serbisyo ng PhilHealth,” he told.
The President said that dialysis coverage and the duration of financial assistance for patients with kidney disease have already been increased. Meanwhile, maintenance medicines for kidney transplant patients are now also covered to ease the burden on families.
“Marami kasi may renal failure, hindi magpa-kidney transplant, takot sa gamot pagkatapos… pero ngayon, covered na ng PhilHealth,” Marcos said.
The cancer treatment coverage has also been expanded, while maternal healthcare programs are also being strengthened.
The President pointed to the Department of Health’s “first 1,000 days” program, which supports mothers and children from pregnancy through early childhood nutrition and vaccination.
Furthermore, he emphasized that improving healthcare is essential to building a productive and healthy society capable of supporting Filipino families.
“So, it is very important because we have to have a healthy society para naman eh tayong lahat makapaghanap buhay nang mabuti para naman makatulong tayo sa mga pamilya natin at ‘yan lang naman ang mga hangarin natin,” he said.
President Marcos then assured the public, “Kami naman ay nakikinig at sabihan niyo kami. Kung kaya namin gawin at magpapaganda talaga doon sa sistema, gagawin po natin. ‘Yun lang po. Kaya po na tayo nandito.”