听
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� There is a need to be aggressive in providing treatment for cancer patients, one of the leading causes of death among Filipinos,听 President Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� R. Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday.
Marcos made the pronouncement as he led the groundbreaking ceremony for the 鈥淏agong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center鈥� of the OFW Hospital in Pampanga on Tuesday.
In his speech, Marcos cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) which showed cancer as the second leading cause of death in the country from January to May in 2024.
This, he said, is what prompted the government to take a more aggressive action against cancer.
鈥淎ggressive as this terrible disease is, we need to be as equally aggressive in providing treatment for our patients 鈥� giving them hope, providing them with care, making them feel right at home, at the time they needed it most,鈥� Marcos said.
鈥淭his is why the hospital鈥檚 second floor will be dedicated to the Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center. While this vision is clear, we acknowledge that much work remains to ensure that this facility would be equipped to serve those in need,鈥� he added.听
According to Marcos, the new facility will serve to address the increasing demand for cancer treatment in Pampanga, functioning both as an outpatient department and a cancer treatment facility.
The new center is poised to accommodate 64 patients and will provide various treatment modalities, including chemotherapy, diagnostic and staging services, and surgical oncology, among others.听
听The facility鈥檚 construction will begin in January 2025 and is expected to finished by November.
It will then become fully operational by the first quarter of 2026.
Tribute to the late DMW Sec. Ople
Marcos in the same event paid tribute to the late Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, citing her 鈥渢ireless dedication to the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).鈥�
鈥淭his endeavor is inspired by the vision of the late Susan Ople, who was our DMW Secretary and who dedicated her entire life to working for the rights of our workers and eventually also our migrant workers.听 鈥楾il the day she died, I know this for a fact, 鈥榯il the day that she died, she was still working for our OFWs,鈥� Marcos said.听听
鈥淎nd that is why we have to honor her memory and honor her legacy, and we do so today with this hospital. Her legacy reminds us to approach every patient with compassion and care, assuring them that they are not alone in their fight,鈥� he added.