Manila breaks ground on PLM health building

Francisco Isko Moreno Domagoso on Friday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for backing the construction of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Allied Health Sciences building.

Domagoso aired his message to the President as the city formally broke ground on the project inside the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center complex.

The mayor said the project aligns with the national government’s push to strengthen healthcare delivery and expand the pipeline of medical professionals, particularly through hospital-based education anchored on public service.

“Ginoong Pangulo, ako’y taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa inyo sa patuloy na pagtulong niyo at suporta sa pamahalaang lokal. Hindi lang sa Maynila, kundi sa buong bansa. Maraming-maraming salamat po, Mr. President.”

In his welcome remarks, Domagoso assured the President that Manila would complete the facility on schedule, citing the city’s track record of delivering major infrastructure projects even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At hindi rin po kayo nagkamali, Mr. President, na kami’y pagkatiwalaan sa Lungsod ng Maynila. We guarantee you, in our own little way, with all the resources and might, physical ability, that we will finish this on time as scheduled.”

The mayor cited the completion of housing developments, school buildings, the Manila Zoo rehabilitation, and the Bagong Ospital ng Maynila as proof of the city government’s capacity to deliver large-scale projects under tight timelines.

Domagoso said PLM’s health programs have a long record of strong academic performance, pointing to consistently high passing rates and frequent placements among licensure examination top performers. He said the new building would allow the university to expand hospital-based training for doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.

“Kaya po, Mr. President, hindi po kayo nagkamali sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa pagtatatag ng bagong gusali ng Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila - College of Allied Health Sciences.”

PLM’s performance in licensure examinations dates back to the 1990s, with sustained results across generations of examinees. In recent years, the university has repeatedly earned top-performing school citations, with its College of Medicine ranking among the country’s leaders and producing multiple physician topnotchers from 2010 to 2025. Its Nursing and Physical Therapy programs have likewise recorded near-perfect to perfect passing rates and numerous topnotchers in national exams.

The mayor also credited the administration’s zero billing policy and expanded PhilHealth coverage for strengthening local governments’ capacity to deliver healthcare services, describing the approach as comprehensive and patient-centered.

“And just so you know, Mr. President, itong pinuhunan ninyo used to produce a cap of 300 students every year. Itong pinuhunan ninyo, you will produce, in your nation-building approach, 5,000 students. And it’s worth every penny of taxpayer’s money.”

Domagoso said the city would continue investing in facilities, equipment, and education to improve access to quality public healthcare nationwide.

“Mr. President, we guarantee you, in our own little way, with little resources—or whatever resources that we have—we will align ourselves with your national goal to provide quality healthcare to our people: whether on financial assistance, whether on delivery of services, whether putting up a facility, whether buying equipment, and now, producing medical professionals in the next generation,” he said.