Robotic cancer treatment facility set to open in Philippines

Raffy Ayeng·11 August 2025, 5:35 pm·1 min read

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Robotic cancer treatment facility set to open in Philippines — FIRST Robotic Cyberknife Radiotherapy Service. (From left to right) Atty. Merryl Kristie M. Francia, Asian Hospital Inc. Consultant (SGV); Xen Ralf Guimapang, MSN, RN Asst. Manager, ACI Quality Assurance, Training and Development; Richard John Sabater, RRT, Clinical Supervisor Conquer C Center, Asian Hospital, Inc. (AHI); Remedios F. Lim, BOI Acting Division Chief, Services Division, Infrastructure and Services Division Service (ISIS); Lorna L. Yumul, BOI Acting Division Chief, Project Evaluation and Registration Division (PERD), ISIS; Martin Gregorio Guevarra, CMP, Medical Physicist, AHI; Angelica W. Agcaoili, BOI Investments Specialist, PERD, ISIS; Ma.Edsel C. Altar, RMT, MBAH, Associate Director Asian Cancer Institute and Nuclear Medicine Service, AHI; Ma. Monica Gin Paronable, RRT, Admin Supervisor Conquer C Center, AHI; and Atty. Donna Frances G. Ylade-Torres, AHI Consultant (SGV).
Photograph courtesy of BOI

Highly advanced and AI-driven cancer treatment technology that offers faster, more precise, and non-invasive care for Filipino patients will soon be available in the country, as its proponent, CyberKnife Radiotherapy Service of Asian Hospital, Inc. (AHI), has been officially registered under the Board of Investments (BOI) to serve cancer patients.

According to the BOI, AHI’s P334 million project represents a major leap forward in the nation’s cancer care capabilities.

The CyberKnife system, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, is a robotic radiosurgery platform that delivers sub-millimeter radiation accuracy, drastically reducing exposure to healthy tissues and cutting treatment time from the typical 28–39 sessions to just 1–5 sessions.

Trade Secretary and BOI Chair Cristina A. Roque highlighted the project’s alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance the country’s healthcare infrastructure and promote high-impact investments.

“We are proud to support forward-looking investments like CyberKnife that harness state-of-the-art technology to address the country’s pressing public health needs. This innovation aligns with our commitment to uplift the quality of life for Filipinos and build a Bagong Pilipinas — where healthcare is inclusive, advanced, and accessible to all,” Secretary Roque said.

The CyberKnife system is a non-invasive treatment platform capable of addressing both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors in complex or sensitive areas like the brain, spine, lungs, liver, and prostate. It uses real-time robotic targeting and AI motion tracking to deliver radiation from multiple angles with extreme precision.

While located in a premium facility, AHI is ensuring accessibility across socio-economic classes. It is partnering with the Philippine Children’s Medical Center to serve pediatric cancer patients through the PhilHealth No Balance Billing (NBB) Program.

Additional support from HMOs, the DOH Medical Assistance for Indigent Patients (MAIP) program, and DSWD medical aid ensures that even low-income patients can benefit from this world-class technology.

The CyberKnife unit will operate as a standalone facility within the Asian Cancer Institute, with its own entrance, consultation and CT rooms, and a radiation-safe bunker. The project forms part of the broader medical network of Metro Pacific Health Corporation, which manages 27 hospitals and six cancer care centers nationwide.

“This is more than an investment,” said BOI Managing Head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo. “It’s a clear signal that the Philippines is ready to embrace next-generation healthcare technologies and serve more people with compassion and precision.”

The Philippine Statistics Authority ranks cancer as the second leading cause of death in the country, with 33,910 deaths recorded from January to August 2024.

Despite having over 110 health facilities, Muntinlupa City previously had no dedicated cancer treatment center. AHI’s investment addresses this critical gap and positions the city as a hub for advanced oncology services in the Philippines.