Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited the newly inaugurated DOH–Jose B. Lingad Children’s Medical Center at the Clark Freeport Zone on Friday, July 24, 2026, calling it a major step in bringing specialized healthcare closer to families outside Metro Manila. He was joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos during the tour.
According to a news release from the Presidential Communications Office (pco.gov.ph), the President walked through the hospital’s main facilities and unveiled its marker, marking one more milestone in the administration’s push to strengthen the country’s health system.
A Tour Focused on Patient Care
The President and First Lady inspected key areas of the new hospital, including:
- The pediatric ward
- The respiratory unit
- The laboratory
They also took time to speak with young patients, their parents, and hospital staff. Joining the visit were PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, Bloomberry Resorts and Hotels Inc. Chairman and CEO Enrique Razon, Health Secretary Dr. Jose Brittanio Pujalte Jr., and local officials.
Completed in Record Time
The hospital was finished in less than two years after President Marcos identified the need for a children’s facility in Central Luzon and led its groundbreaking in July 2024. It was made possible through a partnership between the national government, PAGCOR, the Bloomberry Resorts Foundation, and the Clark Development Corporation (CDC).
Razon stressed that the project was never about profit. “This is not a business venture; it is a contribution to a nation’s development,” he said, adding that it stands as a worthwhile investment in the country’s future.
CDC President and CEO Agnes Devanadera described the hospital as a “generational legacy project,” saying it will benefit families for years to come.
Bigger Plans for Clark
Officials confirmed the children’s hospital is only the first phase of a much larger vision: the Clark Multi-Specialty Medical Center. Future additions will include the Philippine Heart Center and the Philippine Cancer Center, expanding care in pediatrics, kidney treatment, cardiovascular medicine, and oncology.
To support the growing complex, the CDC is donating nearly five hectares of land and plans to build a medical arts building on the site.
Care Closer to Home
The new center is expected to serve children across Central Luzon, sparing families the long trip to Metro Manila for specialized treatment. For many Filipino families, including those with loved ones working abroad, the project means quality medical care is finally within reach closer to home.