President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12210, increasing the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) bed capacity from 1,334 to 2,200.
Signed during a Malacañang ceremony, the law adds 866 beds to address chronic overcrowding and enhance PGH’s ability to serve more patients, particularly indigent Filipinos relying on public healthcare.
As the country’s leading government tertiary hospital, operated by the University of the Philippines Manila, PGH has faced persistent capacity challenges, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic when wards exceeded 200% capacity, with 265 COVID patients against a 250-bed allocation in 2021.
The expansion, supported by Senate Bill No. 2928 sponsored by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and passed in February 2025, responds to years of advocacy, including a 2022 push by PGH’s workers’ union for increased funding.
The additional beds will ease pressure on critical areas like the emergency room and ICU, which have been stretched thin, notably in 2023 when PGH braced for an influx of cancer patients delayed by pandemic restrictions.
The law also strengthens PGH’s role as a teaching hospital, enhancing training for medical professionals while prioritizing affordable care.
Beyond beds, Republic Act No. 12210 supports infrastructure upgrades, including new wards, medical equipment, and a P6-billion cancer center set to operate by 2025 under a public-private partnership.
These align with efforts to triple the national bed-to-population ratio from 0.5 to 1.5 beds per 1,000 people, as targeted by the Department of Health. The expansion will reduce wait times, improve outcomes for complex cases like trauma and chronic illnesses, and enhance PGH’s capacity for specialized and emergency care.
Full implementation requires hiring additional doctors, nurses, and support staff, alongside construction to accommodate the increased capacity. Stakeholders view this as a precedent for other government hospitals, signaling a commitment to modernizing public healthcare.
As PGH scales up to meet the needs of a growing population, the focus remains on delivering equitable care while navigating evolving health demands. The coming years will test PGH’s ability to translate this legislative milestone into tangible benefits for patients and staff.
In March, the Department of Budget and Management approved the request of UP-PGH to create 1,224 additional positions to augment the hospital’s existing medical and support staff. This will be pursued in four tranches, starting in the first quarter of 2025, the fourth quarter of 2025, and in 2026 and 2027.
The UP-PGH is a Level III general hospital with 1,334 bed capacity.
