DBM releases P978M for new Orthopedic Center

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P978.4 million to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) to jumpstart the construction of the new Philippine Orthopedic Center.

The money would serve as initial payment for the acquisition of 24,460 square meters of the total property which will be the new home of the Philippine Orthopedic.

The Philippine Orthopedic is a project offered by the government under its Public-Private Partnership program.  It will be situated on a 58,599-sq m lot that will be transferred from the National Housing Authority to NKTI.

The fund will serve as initial payment for 24,460.40 sq m of the total NHA property occupied by NKTI in Quezon City, with 8,126 sq m allotted for the Philippine Orthopedic.

The new orthopedic center will be transformed into the country’s primary center for bone and joints diseases, with a 700-bed capacity.

 â€œThe modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center — which will be implemented via a public-private partnership—will help bring more specialized and responsive health care services to the Filipino public. The acquisition of the unutilized portion of NKTI’s property is the first crucial step in this initiative, and is part and parcel of the Administration’s goal to boost its public health campaign,” said Budget Secretary Florencio Abad.

The 58,599-sq m property under the NHA has already been reserved for NKTI, in accordance with Proclamation 2381, dated Oct. 1, 1984. The NKTI requested funds to buy the property for P2.34 billion, with the total area valued at P40,000 per square meter.

The NKTI was required to make  a down payment to the NHA, and that the balance due for the rest of the property be amortized annually. The required funds will be included in NKTI’s subsidy.

 â€œThe Aquino administration is keen on advancing its PPP initiatives — including the MPOC — to deepen its private sector engagements and drive more investments into public construction. The work we’re starting with the MPOC will help reinforce this strategy, as well as address the public’s more specific health care requirements,” Abad said.