Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, pushed for an increase in bed capacity at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to address overcrowding and improve healthcare services, particularly for indigent patients.

During the Senate session on Wednesday, 22 January, Go sponsored Senate Bill No. 2928 under Committee Report No. 465. The proposed bill aims to expand PGH’s bed capacity from 1,334 to 2,200 beds.

Go highlighted PGH's rich history, noting that the hospital was established through Act No. 1688 in 1907 and opened on September 1, 1910. He emphasized its role as the largest government tertiary hospital in the Philippines, servicing more than 700,000 patients annually.

“Today, PGH is considered the biggest modern government tertiary hospital in the Philippines, servicing more than 700,000 patients annually. It remains a national referral center for tertiary care, providing direct and quality patient services to thousands of indigent Filipinos all over the country,” Go said.

The senator also addressed PGH's overcrowding problem, referencing data from the Department of Health (DOH) in October 2023. Go said the hospital often exceeds its operational capacity, sometimes surpassing 200 percent of its daily limit.

He added that PGH’s emergency room had also exceeded capacity, reaching 200 percent in June 2022 due to patients with non-COVID-19-related ailments, including pneumonia, diabetes, and heart, lung, and kidney diseases. “Napakalaki po ng ginagampanan ng PGH sa ating healthcare system bilang isang national hospital. Kaya patuloy ang suporta natin sa PGH,” he said.

Go also highlighted initiatives supporting PGH, including the establishment of a Malasakit Center at the hospital, recalling further help provided during emergencies, such as the 2021 fire, the March 2024 fire at the Medicine Ward, and the typhoon-induced flooding in July 2024.

Another initiative Go advocated for is the creation of a halfway house for patient watchers at PGH. “‘Yung mga watchers po, napapansin ko nasa bangketa po, nasa sidewalk. Nagaantay habang tinatawag ‘yung pangalan ng kanilang pasyente. Kailangan din bigyan ng maayos at disenteng lugar ang mga watchers na nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” he emphasized.

Go stressed the need for the increased bed capacity to help PGH better serve more patients. “This proposed measure… aims to further support the operations of PGH by increasing its bed capacity to 2,200. It is our hope that this would help in expanding their services and in catering to more Filipinos who seek medical care,” Go explained.

If passed, the increase in bed capacity would provide much-needed relief to PGH, ensuring that more Filipinos — especially the indigent — receive adequate medical attention. Go reaffirmed his commitment to advancing healthcare initiatives that benefit the most vulnerable sectors of society.