QUEZON CITY, (PIA) —The Department of Public Works and Highways has started the construction of the 20-storey Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) Legacy Building in Quezon City.
The PCMC – considered as the nation’s premier government hospital dedicated to providing specialized pediatric care – is one of the National Centers for Specialized Health Care under the Department of Health.
The hospital has a 200-bed capacity to provide pediatric care, offer training programs for medical and allied health care providers, and be a center in clinical research.
DPWH NCR Director Gerard P. Opulencia said the project will increase the current bed capacity of the PCMC from 200 to 500 to accommodate the increasing number of patients, particularly oncology, neonatal intensive care, and emergency services.
The PCMC was initially called as Lungsod ng Kabataan and was created on August 10, 1979, through Presidential Decree No. 1631 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos. The decree was issued to mark the International Year of the Child. Lungsod ng Kabataan was formally opened on April 29, 1980, in a ceremony attended by Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom. The hospital became operational on June 23, 1980 under the Ministry of Human Settlements, led by then First Lady Imelda Marcos.
The hospital adopted its current name – PCMC – on January 12, 1987, under the administration of President Corazon Aquino.
Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan said the completion of the project marks a major leap in the pediatric healthcare infrastructure not just in the region, but in Southeast Asia.
“As the PCMC gears to be the leading pediatric care provider not just in the country but also in Southeast Asia, the DPWH pledges to deliver the vital project with quality and right on time.”
The project is part of the ‘Build Better More’ program of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. aimed at providing quality pediatric care to all Filipino children. (JEG/PIA-NCR)
