THE Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) will be receiving more cancer patients with the opening of its Cancer Institute at the Region 1 Medical Center Annex in Bonuan Binloc in Dagupan City last May 23, 2025.
“R1MC is serving at least 18 cancer patients daily kasama na dito ang screening, consultation at treatment and with the new facility, these number is expected to grow, and unfortunately, it has become the second leading cause of mortality. There are many Filipinos who suffer from lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer, and with the Cancer Institute in place, we can accommodate them,” she stated.
“I encourage those who are suffering from cancer to visit the facility and avail themselves of its services.
The R1MC Cancer Institute has state-of-the-art cancer diagnostic and treatment machines, including a 128 CT scan, 1.5 Tesla MRI, linear accelerator, brachytherapy, chemotherapy, radiology, and palliative care.
It also offers pediatric oncology and hematology, medical and radiation oncology, gynecology and surgical oncology, targeted therapy, and blood transfusion.
R1MC has served 59,643 cancer patients since 2023.
Sydiongco added that patients can likewise avail of the Cancer Assistance Fund (CAF) which provides financial services not covered by PhilHealth and those only partially covered by the Malasakit Program.
“Magbigay lamang ng mga kinakailangang documents necessary to avail such as prescriptions, treatment protocols, and medical abstracts, which shall first undergo evaluation before approval and availment of services,” she explained.
CAF is similarly available at the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center in San Fernando, La Union, and at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center in Batac, Ilocos Norte. It is an existing financial support mechanism exclusive to cancer patients, persons living with cancer, and cancer survivors.
The R1MC Cancer Institute was inaugurated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on May 23, 2025.
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