CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — “Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients – to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel right at home, at the time when they need it the most.”
Thus, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he broke ground for the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center of the OFW Hospital here on Dec. 10. day.
Marcos Jr. highlighted the data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that cancer ranked as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May this year.
“This is why the hospital’s second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While the vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need,” he added.
The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and the limited capacity of the OFW Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.
Since the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in 2022, the president emphasized its daily outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, with vital areas like the reception and admitting sections repurposed as triage zones.
The new cancer care center is expected to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology, among others.
Construction of the facility is set to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed by November 2025. It is projected to become operational in the first quarter of 2026, following the acquisition of necessary permits and licenses from the Department of Health.
Marcos Jr. also paid tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, acknowledging her tireless dedication to the welfare of OFWs.
He said that her legacy continues to guide the Filipinos and reminds the public to approach every patient with compassion and care.
“Sa aming minamahal na OFWs, ang karagdagang pasilidad na ito ay para po sa inyo at sa inyong pamilya. Hindi naman natin hinahangad na magamit ninyo ito, ngunit mas makakahinga tayo nang maluwag kung alam natin na may matatakbuhan na ospital ang ating mga OFWs sa oras ng inyong pangangailangan,” the president said.
“Nawa’y ang Cancer Care [Center] na ito ay maging simbolo ng ating mas magandang kinabukasan—kung saan ang sakripisyo ng ating mga OFWs ay masuklian, ang kanilang pangarap ay mabigyang katuparan, at ang kanilang kalusugan ay pinapahalagahan,” he added.
During his speech, Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude to the DOH for making the project a reality through its Health Facility Enhancement Program. He also noted there are already two existing cancer centers in the Philippines: the UP-PGHl Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City. PCO-PR
