Philippine's healthcare system in need of more patient beds, says Jesuit

According to a Jesuit priest who serves as the chief chaplain at the top hospital in Manila, the Philippine capital, the government needs to focus more on the healthcare system for the sake of the populace.

In terms of patient bed capacity, the nation's healthcare system falls short, said Jesuit Father Marlito G. Ocon, chief chaplain at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital in Manila.

"There are a lot of sick people lining up along Faura Street in Manila, hoping to get in when the door opens, while others are crowded near the entrance, many in wheelchairs and some on stretcher beds," he said.

Corruption is made considerably easier by the fact that PhilHealth will not receive any extra funding in 2025 and that the 90 billion it saves will be used for other initiatives, he added.

"People expect something more for this year, 2025, instead of expanding relevant health programs to include outpatients," he explained.

Ocon emphasized the significance of a nation's health system, saying it is a fundamental component of its total growth and has a direct effect on the productivity, economic stability, and well-being of its people.

He asserts that a robust healthcare system guarantees that all residents have access to basic medical services, such as emergency interventions, sickness treatment, and preventive care.

A healthier workforce lowers absenteeism and boosts economic production as a result.

Additionally, a healthy health system lessens the strain on hospitals and lowers healthcare expenses by controlling and preventing the spread of diseases.

Beyond financial gains, Ocon stated that a strong healthcare system improves people's quality of life and fosters social justice by treating everyone, regardless of socioeconomic background.

He said that nations that make healthcare investments see improvements in public health overall, lower infant mortality rates, and longer life expectancies.

A robust healthcare system is essential to a country's resilience, stability, and prosperity. According to the Jesuit priest, it not only saves lives but also builds stronger communities and promotes long-term social and economic advancement.

"These are the people who put you into power," Ocon remarked, referring to the parliamentarians, elected officials, and government leaders.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the PhP6.326 trillion national budget for 2025 into law on December 30, 2024.

The education sector received PhP1.05 trillion from the government.

The Department of National Defense (DND) has PhP315.1 billion, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has PhP279.1 billion, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has PhP1.007 trillion, the Department of Health (DOH) has PhP267.8 billion, and the Department of Agriculture has PhP237.4 billion.

PhP217.5 billion was allotted to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), PhP123.7 billion to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), PhP64.0 billion to the Judiciary, and PhP42.2 billion to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

In 2025, PhilHealth, the public sector insurance company, allocated a P284 billion corporate budget, which was divided as follows: P200 million for maintenance and other running costs; P271 billion for benefits expenses; and P12.5 billion for administration and personnel services.

There are about 1,300 hospitals in the Philippines as of 2025, and a sizable percentage of them are private facilities.

There are probably going to be a lot fewer public hospitals. According to reports, to better serve the populace, the nation has to greatly expand its hospital bed capacity, especially in public hospitals.

It is necessary to expand. The Department of Health (DOH) demands a further increase in the Philippines' hospital bed capacity.

The Senate Committee on Health and Demography's chair, Senator Christopher Go, advocated for the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) to expand its bed capacity to alleviate overcrowding and enhance medical care, especially for impoverished patients.

During the Senate session on January 22, 2025, he sponsored Senate Bill No. 2928. With this proposed bill, PGH's bed capacity would increase from 1,334 to 2,200.

Founded in 1907, PGH now serves over 700,000 patients annually, making it the largest government tertiary hospital in the Philippines.

PGH frequently goes above its operational capacity, occasionally going over 200 percent of its daily limitation. Due to its overpopulation issue, Go advocated for more patient beds to become available.

PGH would receive much-needed relief from the expansion of bed capacity, guaranteeing that more Filipinos, particularly the impoverished, receive quality medical care. Go reiterated his dedication to promoting healthcare programs that assist society's most disadvantaged groups.