New specialty center breaks ground in PGH

MANILA —  The University of the Philippines-run Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has broken ground for its 16-story pediatric and adult specialty center, Malacanang said on Friday.

In a statement, the Palace said this is part of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s promise in making healthcare accessible in terms of specialized medical services.

The facility will have 450 hospital beds, a modern pediatric emergency and operating rooms, and “comprehensive” outpatient clinics.

“Ang specialty center na ito ay simbolo ng pagpapahalaga ng pamahalaan sa paghahatid ng quality public healthcare sa sambayanan,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.

In a separate statement, officials said the first phase of the project could cost P675.5 million and would be completed by 2027. This will serve both children and adults who are in need of advanced care.

“This new specialty center reflects our unwavering commitment to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure. It will allow us to better serve patients who rely on PGH for complex and urgent medical needs,” said PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, meanwhile, described the feat as a “vital step in achieving equitable access to quality care.”

In 2024, PGH acquired advanced equipment and new facilities aimed at enhancing its services.

The Manila-based hospital said it recently inaugurated a combined imaging capability in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Computed Tomography (CT) — better known as PET-CT scan equipment — for more comprehensive diagnostics.

In March this year, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) announced it approved more than 1,200 additional positions for PGH.

This includes 1,224 new positions include medical, allied medical, and support staff.