The construction of a 16-story pediatric and adult specialty center for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has officially begun, as the government pushes to strengthen the country’s healthcare system and expand access to specialized medical services.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Press Officer Claire Castro said the project is part of the administration's commitment to providing quality public healthcare for all Filipinos.

The new PGH facility will feature 450 hospital beds, 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 full completion targeted by 2027.

University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez underscored the importance of the project, calling it a long-term investment in public health.

“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,” he added.

The project also aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to establish 179 specialty centers across the country by 2028, as part of a broader initiative to modernize and decentralize healthcare services.