The government has started construction of a 16-story pediatric and adult specialty center for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), a key project aimed at expanding access to specialized medical care.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the initiative is part of the administration’s broader commitment to quality public healthcare.

The new facility will house 450 beds and feature modern pediatric emergency and operating rooms, intensive care units and comprehensive outpatient clinics.

The first phase of the project is estimated to cost P675.5 million, with completion expected by 2027.

University of the Philippines president Angelo Jimenez emphasized the project’s long-term impact on the country’s healthcare system.

“This is more than just a building. It is a promise that no Filipino should be left behind when it comes to healthcare,” Jimenez said. “It is an investment in our people, in the dignity, in the future of public health in the country.”

The specialty center is aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of establishing 179 specialty health facilities nationwide by 2028.