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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos: We're starting to feel the effects of budget in healthcare

Marcos: We're starting to feel the effects of budget in healthcare

Published Feb 6, 2026 01:25 pm
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. poses for a photo with healthcare professionals at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Allied Health Sciences Building on Feb. 6, 2026. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. poses for a photo with healthcare professionals at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Allied Health Sciences Building on Feb. 6, 2026. (Photo courtesy of PCO)
President Marcos was convinced that the allocation for healthcare in the 2026 national budget is beginning to be felt.
"Ito na nakikita na natin ang naging… Lumalabas na yung ating mga nilagay para sa healthcare sector para sa ating mga kababayan (We are now seeing that the allocation for healthcare sector that would benefit our fellow citizens is now coming out)," Marcos said in an interview on Friday, Feb. 6.
"At we have begun already to feel the effects of the appropriations that are coming out of the 2026 GAA. Kaya, it's a very happy day because we groundbroke for the all of the sciences that are necessary for the healthcare sector at dadami ang mga estudyante (and there will be more students)," Marcos added.
The President made the statement following the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) College of Allied Health Sciences Building.
He said it was "a very happy day" as the construction of the new building would result in producing more healthcare professionals in the country.
"Alam naman natin na ang Pilipinas kulang ang ating mga doktor, ang ating mga nurse, ating mga MedTech, lahat ng mga healthcare workers (We know that the Philippines lacks doctors, nurses, MedTechs, and all kinds of healthcare workers)," Marcos said.
"At madadagdagan sila at para mas maganda – magiging mas maganda ang ating pagbigay ng serbisyo sa kalusugan para sa ating mga mamamayan (And their numbers will increase, and as a result, our delivery of healthcare services to our citizens will improve)," he added.
"So, I’m very happy that we are starting to feel the effects of the budget that we worked very hard on, and when we put healthcare as one of the priority appropriations na ginawa (that we did)," he further said.
The President said the government has allocated more than P427 billion to the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and more than P13 billion to specialty hospitals in this year’s national budget.
Nearly P9 billion has been allocated to hospitals of the Department of National Defense (DND) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), and almost P98 billion to local government health programs.
For medical scholarships and tuition fee subsidies for students in state universities and colleges (SUCs), the government allocated more than P1 billion.
Meanwhile, nearly P1.4 billion budget was allocated for medical assistance and the implementation of the zero balance billing at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), the President also said.
In his speech during the ceremony, Marcos said the construction of the new building is a significant investment in training future health professionals.
"Sa pagtatayo ng College of Allied Health Sciences Building, mabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang nakakabatang henerasyon na aralin ang mga kursong pang-medisina. Sila po ang mga susunod na haligi ng ating sektor ng pangkalusugan (With the construction of the College of Allied Health Sciences Building, the younger generation will be given the opportunity to study medical-related courses. They will be the next pillars of our healthcare sector," the President said.
He added that the government also aims to give underprivileged students the opportunity to study in a great university.
The President also lauded the launching of PLM's new science courses such as Medical Technologies and Radiologic Technologies, and acknowledged the 16 topnotchers and graduates of health-related courses.
The five-storey PLM College of Allied Health Services building features modern classrooms, laboratories, simulation rooms, research facilities, and faculty offices. It will be built at Quirino Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard in Malate, Manila.

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