Left image: UP-PGH, Manila – Photo Source: University of the Philippines Manila
The Marcos administration intends to establish numerous specialty hospitals across the country, starting with the construction of a cancer center at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) in Manila.
This cancer center is the first PPP or Public-Private Partnership project under the current administration and “the first of many” to be developed in order to enhance the healthcare system in the country and prioritize the healthcare needs of our very own Filipino people.
According to the statement from Malacañang, the NEDA or the National Economic and Development Authority, headed by President Marcos Jr., has given its approval for the establishment of a P6-billion hospital. This hospital will have a capacity of 300 beds and will be situated on a 3,000 square meter lot within the UP-PGH campus in Manila.
It will also have 15 to 20 floors along with 350 parking spaces and a 1,000-square meter lot allocated for commercial space. On top of that, there will be 150 charity beds for the UP-PGH area, while there will be another 150 private beds for the private area and an area for 3 medical linear accelerators (LINAC) bunkers.
To establish the cancer center, the government has invited public participation through bid submissions, following a 30-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement in accordance with the BOT law. Meaning, PGH will first seek the assistance of a private partner who will handle the design, financing, construction, and equipping of the facility. Furthermore, the partner will be entrusted with operating designated areas within the facility.
In March 2023, an Investors’ Conference was successfully conducted by the UP-PGH at the UP-PGH Guanzon Hall and online for the highly anticipated development of a new comprehensive cancer hospital. The conference drew over 160 representatives from 64 local and international entities across 12 countries, which include hospital operators, construction companies, equipment suppliers, financiers, and other key stakeholders.
At the conference, Ma. Cynthia C. Hernandez, the Executive Director of the PPP Center, emphasized the firm backing of the current administration for a PPP pipeline in the health sector. She then underscored that “the project is timely in meeting the growing health needs of the Filipino people.”
The new cancer center is said to offer a comprehensive array of cancer treatment options, which encompass radio oncology (radiotherapy), imaging, medical oncology, and also provide support for the teaching and research endeavors of UP-PGH.
Moreover, the private partner of UP-PGH will be responsible for managing all non-clinical services within the entire building, handling commercial activities, delivering clinical services to private-paying patients in the designated private area, and covering the expenses related to clinical manpower, drugs, and consumables. On the other hand, UP-PGH will contribute to the site without any cost.
