President Marcos has bared that his administration is constructing several medical facilities for cancer patients, as he reiterated his resolve to bring services closer to the people.

Marcos said this in response to a message sent to him by a certain Maria who, aside from wishing him a happy birthday, asked him to help cancer patients find medical treatment without having to travel to Metro Manila.

In his recent vlog, the President said a large facility dedicated to cancer patients is being built in Pampanga.

"Mayroon tayong mga itinatayo na tinatawag specialty hospital. Mayroon ngang isang malaking-malaking cancer specialty hospital na nasimulan na sa Pampanga (We are constructing what we call a specialty hospital. We have started a big one in Pampanga)," he said.

Marcos the government will build similar facilities in different parts of the country.

"Maglalagay din po tayo sa mga iba’t ibang lugar para hindi na kayo mahirapan na kahit malalayo ay kailangan dadalhin lahat dito sa Maynila (We will also open more across the country so you won't have a hard time traveling to Manila)," he said.

"Ilalapit namin ang serbisyo ng healthcare sa inyong lahat, lalong lalo na sa mga kawawa nating mga cancer patients (We will bring healthcare services closer to you, especially to our cancer patients)," he added.

'Healthcare is no. 1'

In the same vlog, President Marcos vowed to ensure accessible medical care for every Filipino.

"Number one talaga, number one para sa akin sa priority na ginagawa ng pamahalaan yung healthcare (For me, the government's top priority is healthcare)," he said.

Marcos was responding to a message from a certain Adrianne Bianca who said the government should prioritize the health and well-being of Filipinos through Universal Healthcare.

She said the "Zero Billing" is a big help and should be implemented daily. On his birthday on Sept. 13, Marcos ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to cover the costs of all inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services in 22 public hospitals nationwide through “Zero Billing.”

The President recognized Bianca’s sentiments and assured her that the government would relentlessly pursue a globally competitive healthcare system for Filipinos, especially the underprivileged.  

"Maraming pangangailangan ang bawat isang Pilipino at ginagawa naming lahat… kahit papaano (The Filipinos are in need of many services and we are doing everything to address all of them somehow)," he said.

"Hindi natin mabubuo lahat ‘yan ngunit gagawin naming ‘yan lahat para talagang malaking bawas sa bigat na dala (We cannot give it all but we will do everything to ease your burden)," he added.

Mass vaccination

Meanwhile, President Marcos has renewed his call for parents to have their children vaccinated, especially after the launch of the Department of Health (DOH)'s mass vaccination drive aimed at infants for their first 12 months of immunization needs.

Recognizing that some parents are still doubtful about vaccines, the Chief Executive assured them that the vaccines from the government are safe and effective.

"Lahat itong binibigay naming bakuna, tested po ito’t ilang taon na pong ginagamit iyan (The vaccines that we give are safe and are tested. We've been using them for years)," Marcos said.

"Kaya’t puntahan ninyo, kung mayroon kayong mga sanggol, kung mayroon kayong maliliit na bata, dalhin niyo po (So if you have an infant child, bring them to the vaccination drive and have them vaccinated," he added.