Cancer center being built in Pampanga
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the groundbreaking of the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga. Noting that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country, Marcos said the establishment of the center is the government's way of taking aggressive action. "Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients — to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel right at home, at the time when they need it the most," he said. "This is why the hospital's second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While the vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need," he added. The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and the limited capacity of the OFW Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility. It will be the third such facility after the UP-PGH Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City. Since the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in 2022, its daily outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, with the reception and admitting sections repurposed as triage zones. The facility is expected to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatments, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology. Its construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and be completed by November. It's targeted to become operational in the first quarter of 2026, following the acquisition of necessary permits and licenses from the Department of Health (DOH). Meanwhile, the President also said the establishment of the cancer center is his administration's way of paying tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, who he said has worked tirelessly for the welfare of all OFWs. "May this Cancer Care Center be a symbol of a better future — of us prioritizing the health of our OFWs, a way of giving back to them for their sacrifice," Marcos said.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday led the groundbreaking of the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga.
Noting that cancer is the second leading cause of death in the country, Marcos said the establishment of the center is the government's way of taking aggressive action.
"Aggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients — to give them hope, to provide them with care, make them feel right at home, at the time when they need it the most," he said.
"This is why the hospital's second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While the vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to be done to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need," he added.
The Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center will address the increasing demand for cancer treatment and the limited capacity of the OFW Hospital. It will function as both an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.
It will be the third such facility after the UP-PGH Cancer Center in Manila and the Philippine Cancer Center in Quezon City.
Since the inauguration of the OFW Hospital in 2022, its daily outpatient capacity already exceeded 160 patients, with the reception and admitting sections repurposed as triage zones.
The facility is expected to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatments, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology.
Its construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and be completed by November. It's targeted to become operational in the first quarter of 2026, following the acquisition of necessary permits and licenses from the Department of Health (DOH).
Meanwhile, the President also said the establishment of the cancer center is his administration's way of paying tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, who he said has worked tirelessly for the welfare of all OFWs.
"May this Cancer Care Center be a symbol of a better future — of us prioritizing the health of our OFWs, a way of giving back to them for their sacrifice," Marcos said.
