Second cancer facility in Bicol to be built in Sorsogon

MANILA, Philippines — The second cancer facility in the Bicol Region will be built in Sorsogon province to provide medical care and treatment for patients of the disease.

Sorsogon governor Francis Escudero said that once the P49.5-million Sorsogon Cancer Treatment Center is completed, residents of the province will no longer have to travel to the nearby cancer center in Naga City or to Manila for radiation and other cancer-related treatments.

“Ang cancer center na ito na pinapangarap ko sa ating lalawigan noon ay maisasakatuparan na rin sa ating pagtutulung-tulungan. When I ran for governor, giving the Sorsoganons world class health facilities and services was on top of my mind,” Escudero said during the groundbreaking event earlier this week.

“Kaya naman ating pinagsikapan na makamit ang lahat ng ito, lalo na ang mga ISO (International Standardization for Organization) certification sa ating siyam na mga public hospitals at pati na ang buong lalawigan,” he added.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, Escudero said cancer was the  fourth leading cause of death in the Philippines in 2021, and the second in 2020.

Aside from catering to residents of Sorsogon, the treatment center is also seen to service cancer patients from nearby provinces such as Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate and Albay.

“For the longest time, our patients needing radiation treatments will have to be referred to other provinces or in Manila. With this center, our patients will not have to leave the province just to avail the said services,” Escudero said.

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