The local government of Valenzuela City announced on Tuesday that it has significantly increased its allocation for healthcare, including covering laboratory fees and providing a month’s supply of maintenance medicines.

Mayor Weslie Gatchalian — in his first State of the Health Address — disclosed that the city reduced spending in other areas to prioritize public healthcare needs.

Services now available include ultrasound, treadmill and cryotherapy, various laboratory tests such as blood chemistry and chemical microscopy, and lying-in services.

For 2025, the Valenzuela local government unit has earmarked P127.5 million for regular and senior citizen medicines and reagents, a notable increase from the P88.7-million budget in 2024.

The distribution of maintenance medicines has also been expanded from 10-15 pieces to a full month’s supply.

“Our residents are prioritized, and they will just need to present their valid identification cards and the doctor’s prescription and they will receive the medicines they need,” Gatchalian said.

In addition to medication, Gatchalian highlighted the ongoing construction of the three-story Valenzuela Health Ambulatory and Surgical Center in Barangay Paso De Blas, which is nearing its halfway point.

The first phase of the 16,000-square-meter facility, costing P572 million, is expected to be completed by June 2026.