House Speaker Martin Romualdez during the groundbreaking ceremony of the NKTI hemodialysis center (Speaker’s Office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, June 26, led the groundbreaking for the biggest hemodialysis center in the Philippines——the newest project under President Marcos’ Legacy Specialty Hospitals initiative. 

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) in Quezon City, Romualdez says the new infrastructure would enable the government to save thousands of Filipinos who are suffering from kidney issues that would require regular dialysis.

“Today, we are not just building an edifice. We are laying the foundation for hope, modern healthcare, and better quality of life for millions of Filipinos suffering from kidney ailments,” he said in a speech.

Romualdez labeled the soon-to-rise 13-story hemodialysis building as a “mega” facility since it would be branded as the biggest of its kind in the country once it is operational.

He pointed out that the facility will house 200 dialysis machines, doubling the number of machines in the Flora V. Valisno de Siojo Dialysis Center in Manila.

“Ang proyektong ito’y mahalagang hakbang ‘di lamang para sa NKTI kundi para sa buong bansa. Bahagi ito ng ating patuloy na pagsisikap para mapabuti ang serbisyong pangkalusugan sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(This project is an important step not only for NKTI but for the entire country. This is part of our ongoing efforts to improve health services for our countrymen.)

Based on a 2023 report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), at least seven million Filipinos are suffering from chronic kidney disease. It estimates that one Filipino every hour is getting this disease.

With this disease among the top causes behind deaths in the Philippines, patients would risk their finances to undergo dialysis until they find donors for a kidney transplant or their condition deteriorates.

For Romualdez, this upcoming structure will ultimately be most beneficial for indigent Filipinos.

“Hindi na nila kailangang bumiyahe ng malayo o kaya’y maghanap ng malaking halaga para lang makapagpagamot. Dito, sila’y magkakaroon ng access sa modernong pasilidad at de-kalidad na serbisyo para maibsan ang kanilang karamdaman,” the Speaker explained.

(They don't have to travel far or spend a lot of money just to get treatment. Here, they will have access to modern facilities and quality services to alleviate their illness.)

“Ang bawat dialysis machine na gagamitin dito ay katumbas ng buhay na maaring masagip, pamilyang magkakaroon ng pag-asa, at mga pangarap na maari pang matupad,” he continued.

(Each dialysis machine that will be used here is equivalent to a life that can be saved, a family that will have hope, and dreams that can be fulfilled.)

In a chance interview with reporters, House Committee on Appropriations Chairman and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co revealed that the project have a total budget of P4.5 billion.

The construction is expected to be completed in 2026 before becoming operational in 2027, he said.

Meanwhile, Speaker Romualdez notes that this new NKTI facility is proof of President Marcos’ sincere mission to provide quality service in health and medicine to every Filipino.

He recalled that the NKTI itself was among the specialty hospitals that was ushered in by then-First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos during the first Marcos administration.

“Sinimulan po ito ng kanyang butihing ina…noong ‘70s at ngayo’y ipinagpapatuloy ng ating Pangulo para sa milyun-milyong Pilipino,” he stated.

(His good mother started it...in the '70s and now our President is continuing it for millions of Filipinos.)

Aside from Legacy Specialty Hospitals, President Marcos has also launched the Legacy Food Security, which aims to help farmers and make available food products at low prices, and Legacy Housing, which would provide dwelling units to the poor at an affordable cost.

“Makakaasa kayo na buung-buo ang suporta namin sa House of Representatives sa three major pillars na ito…Titiyakin naming na may sapat na pondo ang mga proyektong ito,” Romualdez said.

(You can count on our full support in the House of Representatives on these three major pillars...We will ensure that these projects are adequately funded.)

The House Speaker was joined in the event by Co, Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 1st district Rep. Janette Garin, officials of Quezon City led by Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto, and other government and NKTI officials.