Malacañang said President Duterte was more than ready to use his presidential social fund (PSF) to assist the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) following the tragedy that befell the State-run institution on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after a fire broke out in the PGH in Taft Avenue, Manila past midnight of May 16, and damaged a portion of the hospital, leaving patients displaced.
In his press briefing on Monday, Roque said that all PGH has to do was to ask the President for assistance.
"Ang huling mensahe ko po galing sa ating Presidente (My last message from the President): 'Ask and you shall receive,'" Roque told PGH director Dr. Gap Legaspi.
Roque reiterated that President Duterte has always been ready to assist the PGH.
"Alam niyo naman po, dati-rati pa, kung ano ang kinakailangan ng PGH ay handang ibigay ang Presidente galing po sa kanyang presidential social fund (You know that President Duterte has always been ready to use the presidential social fund to give PGH whatever it needs)," he added.
Fire authorities said the fire started in an operating room on the third floor of the facility. It reached the first alarm at 12:41 a.m. and was quickly raised to the second level at 12:58 a.m. The fire was declared under control at 2:46 a.m. and was put out at 5:41 a.m. No one was hurt in the fire.
At 9 a.m. on Sunday, the University of the Philippines (UP) Office of the Student Regent said it was accepting emergency donations of water, food, and face masks for the PGH.
On Sunday, Malacañang thanked those who heeded the call of PGH for emergency donations.
"We thank our people for immediately responding to the call for emergency donations of the PGH," Roque said.
"Big or small, cash or in-kind, these acts of kindness and generosity would be of great help and assistance to those who are in need. Kindly send them to the official fundraising groups of the state-run hospital," he added.
The PGH is the country's largest coronavirus (COVID-19) referral center. Even Roque himself was admitted to the PGH the second time he caught the disease last month.