Marcos targets to build 349 specialty centers before his term ends
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. inspects the newly-opened Brain and Spine Center of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on May 15, 2026. (RTVM)
Building a total of 349 specialty centers is among the goals of President Marcos before his term ends in 2028.
Marcos revealed the plan during his visit to the Brain and Spine Center of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on Friday, May 15.
"As of now, we are targeting 349 specialty centers sa by the time I leave office in 2028," Marcos said in his speech during his inspection at the new specialty facility.
The President explained that the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the need to establish various specialty centers around the country, citing the lack of access to such facilities, especially in the provinces.
"Isa sa bagong polisiya ng Department of Health ay inutos ko sa kanila, matuto na tayo (One of the new policies of the Department of Health, which I instructed them to implement, is that we should learn from this)," Marcos said.
"Maglagay tayo ng specialty center sa iba't ibang lugar para naman kapag may sakit at kailangan mapunta sa isang specialty center ay hindi pa kailangan lumipad pa o pumunta pa (We should establish specialty centers in different areas so that when people get sick and need to go to a specialty center, they will no longer have to fly or travel far to get there)," Marcos added.
He further said that building a specialty center does not require the government to build an entire hospital.
The new Brain and Spine Center was established at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center.
Equipped with modern technology and advanced diagnostic capabilities, the Center is designed to provide comprehensive neurological and spinal healthcare services.
It also enhances CVMC’s capacity in stroke management, neurosurgery, neurophysiology, neurodiagnostics, and specialized neurological care for patients in Region II and neighboring provinces.