PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved an executive order that will establish an annex of the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Malacañang bared on Friday.

Executive Order (EO) 19, signed by the Chief Executive on March 8, 2023, underscores the need for the PHC to have its presence in Central Luzon to give more Filipinos access to quality health care, particularly those burdened by cardiovascular diseases.

"Subject to limitations under existing laws, rules and regulations, the National Government shall establish the Philippine Heart Center Annex in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga (PHC Clark), which will primarily render specialized medical services for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases," part of the circular read.

"With world-class highways and an international airport, the Clark Freeport Zone is a gateway to Central Luzon. As such, establishing a specialty hospital annex in Clark Freeport Zone will bring quality health care closer to the people," it added.

The amount needed for the establishment and continued operations of the PHC Clark "shall be charged against the available appropriations of the DoH and/or the annual corporate operating budget of the PHC, subject to the pertinent budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations."

Additional funding may also be sourced from agreements that the PHC may enter into with other government agencies for the purpose of establishing and operating the PHC Clark, the EO further stated.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, EO 19 also noted that cardiovascular diseases were the leading cause of death in the country as of Oct. 31, 2022.

This is one of the reasons Marcos wants the PHC to establish, manage and administer PHC Clark, and amend its existing hospital development plan to include the proposed programs and initiatives for the planned annex, consistent with the Philippine Health Facility Development Plan 2020-2040, and in coordination with the Department of Health and other relevant government agencies.

Established under Presidential Decree 673 (s. 1975) during the administration of the President's late father and namesake, Ferdinand Sr., the PHC is the sole specialty hospital in the Philippines that provides specialized medical services to Filipinos suffering from cardiovascular diseases