Senate approves bill to increase PGH bed capacity

The Senate on Monday approved on the third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2928, which seeks to increase the bed capacity of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) from 1,334 to 2,200. The move marks a major step in addressing hospital overcrowding and improving healthcare services for Filipinos.

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, author and principal sponsor of the bill, thanked his fellow senators for their overwhelming support, emphasizing the need to enhance PGH’s capacity to serve indigent patients.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa aking mga kasamahan sa Senado sa pagsuporta sa panukalang ito. Ang PGH ay isang mahalagang institusyon para sa ating mga kababayang nangangailangan ng libre at de-kalidad na serbisyong medikal. Sa tulong ng batas na ito, mas maraming pasyente ang matutulungan at mabibigyan ng mas maayos na pangangalaga,” Go stated.

(I thank my colleagues in the Senate for supporting this measure. PGH is an important institution for our countrymen who need free and quality medical services. With the help of this law, more patients will receive assistance and better care.)

If passed into law, the bill would allow PGH to accommodate more patients, reduce congestion, and improve healthcare delivery.

Established in 1907 and opened in 1910, PGH is the country’s largest government tertiary hospital, serving over 700,000 patients annually. However, the hospital has long been operating beyond its capacity, with some reports indicating occupancy rates exceeding 200 percent, forcing patients to share beds or wait in hallways for medical attention.

Senator Go stressed that expanding PGH’s bed capacity is critical to ensuring that every patient, especially the poor, receives proper medical care. He noted that many indigent patients rely on PGH for specialized treatment, making the hospital’s decongestion a priority.

“Sa PGH, hindi lang isa kundi dalawa o minsan tatlong pasyente ang nagsisiksikan sa isang kama. Hindi dapat ito mangyari sa isang ospital na dapat ay nag-aalaga at nagpapagaling ng ating mga kababayan. Ang pagdaragdag ng mga kama at pasilidad ay isang hakbang patungo sa mas maayos na serbisyo,” he emphasized.

(At PGH, not just one, but two or sometimes three patients are crammed into one bed. This should not happen in a hospital that is meant to care for and heal our countrymen. Adding beds and facilities is a step towards better service.)

During President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, PGH received monthly budgetary support from the Office of the President to support its operations and patient services. This funding allowed PGH to provide free medications and medical tests to its patients.

Go also noted that PGH has consistently benefited from his healthcare initiatives, including the establishment of a Malasakit Center within the hospital.

The Malasakit Center serves as a one-stop shop where patients can access medical assistance from government agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).