‘MILESTONE IN HEALTH CARE’ Speaker Martin Romualdez leads the capsule-laying and groundbreaking rites on Friday for the Philippine Cancer Center. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Speaker Martin Romualdez on Friday said the Philippine Cancer Center set to rise in Quezon City could serve as a “sanctuary of healing and hope” for thousands battling the second leading cause of death among Filipinos.
Leading the groundbreaking for the 20-story, P3.6-billion building on Quezon Avenue, the House leader said it is President Marcos’ “mission” to provide Filipinos with comprehensive, affordable and accessible health care.
“This mission is what we are all helping to fulfill today,” Romualdez said. “Each year, thousands are diagnosed and even more are left without adequate support. This center is our response—to not only decrease mortality and morbidity but to also lessen the incidence of preventable cancers.”
Also at the event were other lawmakers and government officials including Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, who chairs the House committee on appropriations, Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan and local executives.
Through the committee, the House allocated the budget for the Cancer Center’s fixed assets and critical services in line with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act and the Resource Stratified Framework set by the National Integrated Cancer Control Council.
The obligated budget for the construction so far was P700 million in 2023 and P1.1 billion in 2024. Target completion is in 2027.
An artist’s perspective of the 20-story specialty hospital. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Making it manageable
According to 2023 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, cancer is second only to heart disease among the top causes of death in the country. The third is stroke.
“Our aim is to transform cancer from a death sentence into a manageable condition that, when detected and treated early, can be overcome. We want to ensure strategic alignment with national cancer control plans, make treatment more equitable, affordable and accessible, and improve the overall experience of cancer care for patients and their families.”
“It’s difficult to find an affordable hospital. And even if one is already found, the family members or those tasked to look after the patient have nowhere else to stay,” he said.
Dormitories
The future Cancer Center, he said, “marks a milestone not just in the history of health care in our nation but in the lives of countless Filipinos whose battles against cancer have been long and arduous.”
It will be “more than just a hospital [but also] a comprehensive sanctuary for diagnosis, treatment research and patient support—all under one roof. Our goal is to redefine cancer treatment in the Philippines, integrating the latest medical advancements and fostering collaboration among specialists,” he said.
The project will include dormitories for the patient’s family members or caregivers.
They will also be for doctors from the provinces who are undergoing training at the specialty hospital and are expected to apply their honed expertise in their communities.
Completing the plan
To be built on a 5,000-square-meter lot inside the Blood Bank Complex on Quezon Avenue, the center will complete an overall plan dating back to the first Marcos administration, where specialty hospitals are clustered or located near each other.
Today, these hospitals are the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Philippine Heart Center, the Lung Center, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center—all located along East Avenue and Quezon Avenue.
Another government hospital, the East Avenue Medical Center, is also in the area.
READ: PH Cancer Center to strengthen fight vs deadly illness – Romualdez
Also present at Friday’s groundbreaking were House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, a former health secretary; Quezon City Representatives Marvin Rillo, Ralph Tulfo and Franz Pumaren; Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto, Health Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., Philippine Cancer Center Interim Executive Director Alfonso Nuñez lll, and Menchie Auste-Sarmiento of the Cancer Warriors Foundation Inc.