House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez has led the groundbreaking of a cancer center in Manila, which is yet another legacy project of the current Marcos administration. 

By no accident, this cancer center will be named after his late father, Leyte governor Benjamin Romualdez. 

“I have first-hand knowledge on this (cancer), losing my father to this dreaded disease. Here and now, I commit to fully support the completion of this medical facility that bears his name,” the Speaker said in his speech during the event Tuesday, June 25. 

He said the Gov. Benjamin Romualdez Cancer Center--to rise within the grounds of the Ospital ng Maynila--was “another step in the realization of the promise” for more hospitals. 

Dubbed the first local government cancer facility, the five-story center has a capacity of 38 beds and is equipped with state-of-the-art medical technology, including a Linear Accelerator, Spect Gamma Camera with Treadmill Machine and CT Scan. 

The House leader from Leyte's 1st district lauded Manila Mayor Honey” Lacuña and the government officials who helped build the facility, where “even the poorest among us can access top-tier medical care without the fear of financial ruin".

“Your solidarity with the goal of the administration of President Marcos to leave behind a legacy of healthcare emboldens us to aspire for even higher goals,” he said 

“The President’s vision is clear: no Filipino should have to choose between their health and their livelihood. The establishment of cancer centers, like the one we inaugurated, is a testament to President Marcos’ commitment to this cause," Speaker Romualdez said.

He expressed gratitude to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan, and fellow ranking solons like his wife Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Majority Leader Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe, and House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, for making the cancer center a reality.  

The construction of the center was in compliance with the National Integrated Cancer Control Act (NICCA), or Republic Act (RA) No. 11215, which former President Duterte signed and enacted into law in 2019. 

Speaker Romualdez clarified though that the “hospital is not the building alone", since "it has to be staffed by specialists and staff and workers who shall attend to the needs of patients from Manila and nearby areas.” 

“I am grateful that the City of Manila, with its capable doctors and medical practitioners, has taken on this important challenge – not just to provide patients with affordable yet effective treatments for cancer in advanced stages, but enable early cancer detection for better outcomes,” he said. 

The administration stalwart was also glad that the Marcos administration has initiated a “renewed focus on ensuring that healthcare is a top priority, especially for our less fortunate citizens who face financial challenges due to debilitating illnesses".

House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

“The President has consistently emphasized that the health and well-being of every Filipino, regardless of their economic status, is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of his administration’s agenda,” Speaker Romualdez, president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, reiterated.

“Through initiatives like the Universal Health Care Act, the administration (of President Marcos) is working tirelessly to provide comprehensive health services that are accessible and affordable,” he stressed.

“Cancer care is a broad field. From information and education initiatives down to the local barangay level, psychological support for patients and survivors, providing support for these initiatives, to research, to actual treatment, each of us have a role to play to achieve victory in this battlefield,” Speaker Romualdez said. 

“Together, let us build a cancer-free Philippine society,” the fourth highest-ranked official of the land added.