President Marcos announced an additional P15 million funding for the President Corazon C. Aquino General Hospital, also known as Baseco Hospital, to help expand healthcare services for residents of the Baseco Compound in Manila.

Marcos said this as he visited the Baseco community and the rehabilitated hospital at the Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila, on Thursday, Nov. 27.

In his remarks during his visit, the President said the additional funding was due to how impressed he was with the project.

“Ang katotohanan na-impress kami masyado. Kaya sabi ko tulungan naman natin (The truth is we were so impressed, so we decided to help out),” he said.

“Kaya mula sa Tanggapan ng Pangulo, dadagdagan po natin ‘yung suporta ng P15 milyong para sa Baseco Hospital (So from the Office of the President, we will give the Baseco Hospital an additional funding worth P15 million),” he added.

The President said the additional funds would help address the needs of the citizens.

“Lahat ng benepisyo na maaaring gawin ng pamahalaan ay gagawin natin (We will provide all support and benefits the government can offer),” he said.

The hospital, which opened last Sept. 5, serves an average of 200 to 220 patients daily and has already accommodated around 7,300 patients as of Nov. 24. Currently operating as an outpatient department, the facility is preparing to become a full Level 1 hospital, enabling it to provide a broader range of medical services to the community.

Marcos noted that around 20,000 Baseco residents have been registered with PhilHealth, allowing them to access medical services at the facility.

Baseco Hospital is a PhilHealth-accredited YAKAP clinic, providing free consultations, primary care check-ups, and diagnostic and screening tests. The President praised Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, and city personnel for promoting PhilHealth programs in the community.

During the visit, Marcos highlighted the importance of collaboration between national and local governments to strengthen the healthcare system and deliver improved services.

“Kaya't ang administrasyon pong ito ay ginagawa ang lahat upang mapatibay natin ang ating tinatawag na healthcare system (This administration is doing everything to strengthen our healthcare system),” he said.

The President added that the government’s goal is to ensure residents do not deplete their savings for medical needs.

“Nandito po ang pamahalaan para tumulong sa inyo, para hindi ninyo na kailangan maubos ang inyong inipon na pera, na maubos dito sa healthcare. Kami na po ang bahala (The government is here to help you so that you don’t have to spend all your savings on healthcare. We will take care of you),” he said.

In a separate event, President Marcos praised the San Lazaro Residences in Santa Cruz, Manila, as a “different kind of housing” that goes beyond simply providing units, highlighting its integrated health services for residents.

“Ito po ang pinaka -- ngayon lang ako nakakita na mayroong health center sa loob. Kaya’t ‘yung mga nakatira dito hindi na kailangan lumabas pa ng building nila (This is the first time I’ve seen a health center inside a housing building. Residents don’t even need to step out if they get sick),” he said.

The project is part of Manila’s in-city housing program, following earlier developments such as Tondominium 1 and 2, Binondominium, Pedro Hill Residence, San Sebastian Residence, and Basecommunity.

Marcos noted the speed of construction as remarkable, citing a 200-plus-unit project completed in just three months.

“Panaginip lang sa amin ‘yun sa NHA at saka sa DHSUD na ganoon kabilis (In the National Housing Authority and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, we only dream of this kind of speed),” he admitted.

“Kailangan magpaturo kami sa inyo kung papaano ginagawa ‘yan (We need to learn from you on how it’s done),” he added.

The President praised the Manila government for applying lessons from past human settlements initiatives under his mother, Imelda Marcos, focusing on building complete communities rather than just houses.

“Dahil tama rin naman, hindi naman basta maglalagay ka ng ilang bahay sa bundok, wala namang trabaho, walang palengke, walang simbahan, walang eskuwelahan (Just putting houses on a mountain won’t work. There’s no work, no market, no church, no school. People won’t live there),” he said.

San Lazaro, he added. exemplifies this approach, combining housing with services, amenities, and a sense of community within a single building.

President Marcos also highlighted features that residents would not typically expect in socialized housing, including a rooftop swimming pool.

“Parang hindi mong iisipin na makakakita tayo ng ganito sa socialized housing (You wouldn’t expect to see this in socialized housing),” he said.

With this, Marcos encouraged other local governments to emulate Manila’s example, noting that effective coordination between national and local agencies can produce significant benefits for residents.

“Basta’t maganda ang ugnayan, basta’t maganda ang pag-coordinate ng national at saka local government ay marami tayong magagawa (This is part of what we can achieve when national and local governments work well together),” he said.