PGH to launch first state-run hospice in PH

Jamayka Rhose Pascual

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is set to launch Balay Lingap, the country’s first government-operated hospice and halfway house for patients in need.

The University of the Philippines Manila, which governs the PGH, developed the facility in an attempt to enhance public service and healthcare quality.

Located beside Santa Isabel College along Taft Avenue, Balay Lingap was built to serve terminally ill patients and families undergoing extended outpatient care at the hospital.

The ground floor will house a 24/7 hospice unit offering palliative care for those facing end-of-life conditions, managed by a team trained in compassionate, family-centered care.

While the third and fourth floors will serve as a temporary shelter for indigent patients and watchers who travel long distances to receive repeated treatments at the hospital.

Balay Lingap is also designed to reduce PGH congestion by providing a transitional space for those who no longer need intensive hospital care but are not yet able to return home.

PGH sees over 600,000 patients annually, many of whom come from provinces without access to specialized public healthcare.

In March 2025, PGH reported congestion in the emergency room, handling around 180 to 200 patients daily, far beyond the recommended 75 to 80.

Led by the Department of Family and Community Medicine, this initiative aims to deliver medical, emotional, and psychosocial support to both patients and their families.

This initiative follows the construction of the PGH’s new 16-story Pediatric and Adult Specialty Center.

According to PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, these projects are crafted to meet the specific needs of the patients.

“It will allow us to better serve patients who rely on PGH for complex and urgent medical needs,” he emphasized.

The project aligns with the goals of RA 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act, promoting continuity of care and access to essential health services regardless of socioeconomic background.

“This is a vital step in achieving equitable access to quality care,” Herbosa said.