President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno led the groundbreaking for the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Allied Health Sciences building yesterday. The project aims to address the country's shortage of doctors and other health workers. The five-story facility will rise within the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center complex in Malate.
In Malate, Manila, President Marcos stated that the new building would strengthen the country's health care workforce and expand access to medical education, especially for underprivileged students. “(Through this program), their numbers will increase, and as a result, we will be able to provide better health services for our people,” the president said in his speech. He added that the university would produce not only competent but also principled professionals.
Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, meanwhile, noted that the project aligns with the administration's health care objectives. “In our own little way, with little resources – or whatever resources that we have – we will align ourselves with (the) national goal to provide quality health care 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,” the mayor declared.
The building will include 90 classrooms, laboratories, simulation rooms, research facilities, an auditorium and amphitheater, two multi-purpose halls, a split-level library, gymnasium, and cafeteria. It will also feature administrative and faculty offices, conference rooms, a clinic, chapel, rentable café space, computer laboratory, storage and utility rooms, elevators, and other support facilities.
Alongside the groundbreaking, PLM launched new science programs, including medical technology and radiologic technology. The complex is expected to significantly boost enrollment in medicine and allied health programs. According to the Manila Public Information Office and the Presidential Communications Office, the new PLM building is set to be completed within two years.
