The Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) is a government-owned specialty hospital dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of lung and other chest diseases. As part of its commitment to public service, the LCP offers various assistance and support programs for indigent and underprivileged patients—including medical financial assistance, free consultations, charity admissions, and special government medical aid through partner agencies like the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), and Department of Health (DOH). These programs are designed to ensure that every Filipino, regardless of financial status, has access to quality pulmonary care, especially those battling life-threatening diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, asthma, and lung cancer. Knowing about these services is crucial because many Filipinos suffer silently due to lack of resources, and by being informed, we can either benefit directly, guide our loved ones toward the help they need, or support advocacy for accessible healthcare.
To learn more about them, we rounded up this list of assistance and support programs offered at the Lung Center of the Philippines to help you find the one you need much more easily.
Assistance and Support Programs Offered by the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP)
As the leader in Philippine respirtory medicine, the LCP offers a wide range of support services and health initiatives designed to meet the medical, financial, and wellness needs of patients. These programs can be organized into these general categories:
- Financial Assistance & Patient Navigation: These programs aim to ease the financial burden on patients by offering discounts, connecting them with funding agencies, or streamlining access to medical aid. They also guide patients through hospital processes for faster, more accessible care.
- Medical Counseling & Rehabilitation: This group includes one-on-one or group services focused on improving physical, nutritional, or psychological well-being. It includes therapeutic and counseling services guided by professional assessments.
- Patient Support Groups & Education: These programs help patients better manage chronic conditions through peer support, workshops, and educational campaigns. They often foster long-term engagement, build confidence, and promote treatment compliance.
- Specialized Medical Services: Focused on unique or complex health issues, these programs provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and medical evaluations that require specialized knowledge or equipment. These often cater to specific populations or occupational needs.
- Public Health & Disease-Specific Programs: These initiatives are aligned with national health campaigns and global health standards. They focus on diseases like tuberculosis and lung cancer, aiming to detect, treat, and eliminate public health threats through comprehensive services.
These categories show how the Lung Center of the Philippines not only treats respiratory illnesses but also prioritizes holistic patient support. From financial help and early detection to community education and rehabilitation, each program plays a role in promoting lung health and patient empowerment.
To learn more about these actual assistance and support programs and what they are for, please see the list below:
1. Hospital Bill Discount Upon Discharge
This program helps patients get a discount on their hospital bill before leaving the hospital. It’s available any time—24/7. The Medical Social Work Division (MSWD) handles the process.
Purpose: To ease the financial burden of patients by providing bill discounts before discharge.
Features and Benefits:
- Open 24/7
- Available to all patients
- Fast processing (around 25 minutes)
- No fees required
- Simple requirements (just the discharge order)
- Additional discount applied on top of other hospital bill reductions
2. Nutritional Counseling
This LCP program offers dietary counseling for patients referred by their doctors. In-patients can access the service anytime as needed. Out-patient services are available from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Purpose: To provide expert nutrition advice and personalized diet plans for better health management.
Features and Benefits:
- Open to all patients with a doctor’s referral
- In-patient and out-patient access
- Professional assessment by a licensed dietitian
- Personalized dietary instruction guide
- Only ₱500 counseling fee
- Quick service: approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes total processing time
3. Patient Classification and Referral to Funding Agencies
Aside from healing, the LCP also offers patient classification services and referral service to funding agencies in case the service is needed. With this service, the LCP helps patients get referred to funding agencies for financial aid. It’s available from Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Sundays and holidays.
Purpose: To assist patients in securing financial help through proper classification and referrals to partner funding agencies.
Features and Benefits:
- Open to all patients needing financial support
- Quick processing time (around 30 minutes)
- Referral to funding agencies for hospital bills and medications
- No fees required
- Personalized assessment and interview by MSWD
- Assistance with document requirements
4. Lung Center of the Philippines ASAP (At Source Ang Processing) – PCSO Medical Assistance
The LCP ASAP is a medical assistance program from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) designed to help indigent patients with the cost of cancer diagnosis and treatment. It allows patients to request support directly from help desks in partner hospitals like the Lung Center of the Philippines. There’s no need to visit the main PCSO office.
Purpose: To make it easier and faster for financially challenged patients to access medical assistance for cancer care.
Features and Benefits:
- Direct filing at PCSO Help Desks in affiliated hospitals
- Covers expenses related to cancer diagnosis and treatment
- No need to go to PCSO main office
- Faster processing of requests for indigent patients
5. Lung Center of the Philippines – Asthma Club
The Asthma Club helps people understand and manage asthma through patient education and support. It offers workshops for both patients and healthcare providers. Members must attend a virtual or in-person workshop to join.
Purpose: To become a center of excellence in asthma education by training both patients and facilitators.
Features and Benefits:
- Virtual Asthma Club Workshop: A nationwide online workshop on asthma management led by trained facilitators.
- Asthma Club Facilitators’ Workshop: Training for doctors to lead asthma education sessions using interactive techniques.
- Inhaler Device Workshops: Hands-on training on proper use of inhalers.
- Educational Videos and Materials: Easy-to-follow guides on Dry Powder and Metered Dose Inhalers.
- Free registration: Open to patients referred by their doctors.
6. Aviation, Maritime & Travel Medicine
This program provides medical evaluations for individuals involved in air travel, diving, and overseas trips. It handles health concerns related to flying, diving, and traveling. The unit operates as a referral-based specialty service.
Purpose: To ensure people are medically fit for activities such as flying, diving, and international travel.
Features and Benefits:
- Medical assessments for pilots, divers, and travelers
- Specialized services for travel-related health issues
- Trained healthcare professionals
- Modern equipment and facilities
- Strong partnerships with relevant sectors
- Program evaluation for continuous improvement
- Certification and quality standards
- Awareness and promotion campaigns
7. Bronchiectasis Support Group
This program helps people with bronchiectasis manage their symptoms and improve their daily functioning. It includes group exercises tailored to each person’s needs. It also serves as a support community where members can learn and connect.
Purpose: To support bronchiectasis patients in building physical strength, managing symptoms, and improving their quality of life through education, exercise, and peer support.
Features and Benefits:
- 6-week group program (2 sessions per week, total of 12 sessions)
- Customized exercises with airway clearance and breathing techniques
- Educational talks on managing bronchiectasis, medication use, stress, diet, and more
- Access to pulmonary rehabilitation specialists
- Affordable registration fee of only Php 3,000
- Open for referrals
8. COPD Support Group Program
The COPD Support Group Program by the Lung Center of the Philippines helps patients with emphysema and chronic bronchitis. It focuses on symptom relief and improving quality of life through personalized care. The program is interactive and managed by a team of specialists.
Purpose: To support, educate, and empower COPD patients and their families in managing the condition and living a productive life.
Features and Benefits:
- Health education for patients and families
- Skills training for daily activities
- Personalized patient assistance
- Counseling to reduce stigma and emotional stress
- Peer support and social gatherings
- Public awareness activities
- Regular group meetings and annual events during:
- Lung Month (August)
- World COPD Day (November)
- Christmas Season
9. Critical Airway and Interventional Pulmonary
This program improves how doctors manage patients with critical or hard-to-access airways. It focuses on safety, fast response, and clear teamwork during emergencies. It also trains medical professionals in advanced airway techniques.
Purpose: To ensure the safe and effective management of difficult airways and equip healthcare providers with the latest knowledge and tools.
Features and Benefits:
- Enhances patient safety in airway emergencies
- Offers hands-on training to doctors from various specialties
- Promotes use of advanced airway tools and devices
- Develops the Lung Center’s official Difficult Airway Algorithm
- Encourages research on airway management
- Builds a national network for airway case consultation
- Establishes a Philippine registry for difficult airway cases
- Partners with global airway organizations
- Launches a dedicated airway management website
10. Directly Observed Therapy (TB-DOTS)
The Lung Center of the Philippines offers free TB diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for both adults and children. It has been treating drug-resistant TB since 2005 and follows national and international health standards. The clinic operates under the Public Health and Domiciliary Division (PHDD).
Purpose: To provide accessible and quality TB care, prevent the spread of the disease, and support a TB-free Philippines.
Features and Benefits:
- Free TB diagnosis and medications (for adults and children)
- Drug-sensitive (DSTB) and drug-resistant (DRTB) TB screening
- Sputum smear microscopy and GeneXpert testing
- HIV testing and counseling (ages 15+)
- Contact tracing and patient follow-up
- TB education and awareness
- Coordination with other health facilities for seamless referrals
- Active monitoring of medicine and supply availability
- Support in reducing patient expenses through PhilHealth
- Open Monday to Friday
- TB DOTS: 8 AM – 5 PM (Tel: 8924-6101 loc. 1856)
- PMDT: 8 AM – 4 PM (Tel: 8924-6101 loc. 1857)
11. Early Lung Cancer Support Group
This program focuses on detecting lung cancer early when treatment, especially surgery, is most effective. It targets high-risk individuals before symptoms appear to improve survival chances. Early diagnosis allows better management and treatment outcomes.
Purpose: To find lung cancer early in high-risk patients so treatment can be more successful and survival rates can improve.
Features and Benefits:
- Targets smokers aged 50 to 75 with a history of smoking at least one pack per day for 10 years
- Provides free chest X-rays, consultations, and transportation for enrolled patients
- Includes community outreach to identify and enroll high-risk individuals
- Offers educational campaigns to raise awareness about early detection
- Tracks patient data to ensure proper follow-up and care
- Supports patients with newsletters and discounts during hospital admission
12. Esophagus and Swallowing Center
The center specializes in diagnosing and treating esophageal diseases and swallowing problems. It uses the latest minimally invasive surgery techniques to provide better care. The center also trains thoracic surgeons and conducts research to improve treatment methods.
Purpose: To offer expert care, advanced treatment, training, and research focused on esophageal and swallowing disorders.
Features and Benefits:
- Comprehensive diagnosis and management of esophageal and swallowing conditions
- Access to modern, minimally invasive surgical treatments
- Training programs for thoracic surgeons and specialists
- Ongoing research to improve patient care
- Collaboration with local and international centers for updated practices and patient safety
13. Lusog Baga Association, Inc. (SLBAI)
SLBAI is a non-profit group formed by former TB patients who completed their treatment and were cured at the Lung Center of the Philippines DOTS Clinic. The group started in 2001 with 15 members and now has around 30-50 active members. It is part of national organizations that help represent people affected by TB.
Purpose: To support TB patients through counseling, monitoring, advocacy, and promoting treatment compliance.
Features and Benefits:
- Peer counseling for ongoing TB patients to encourage treatment completion
- Monitoring and follow-up of patients who interrupted or defaulted treatment
- Regular assemblies and member elections every two years
- Free consultations and lung health check-ups for active members
- Acts as TB advocates through sharing experiences and community education
- Referral of suspected TB cases for early diagnosis and treatment
- Members may serve as treatment partners to nearby TB patients needing support
14. MDRTB Control Program
The MDRTB Control Program at the Lung Center of the Philippines began in 1995. It registers patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and provides follow-up care and treatment. The program also develops treatment protocols and supports research and data collection on MDRTB.
Purpose: To help MDRTB patients complete treatment and achieve full recovery.
Features and Benefits:
- Maintains a registry of confirmed MDRTB patients
- Provides continuous treatment and follow-up services
- Creates updated treatment guidelines for MDRTB
- Conducts research to improve MDRTB management
- Supports a patient group that encourages treatment compliance and offers peer counseling
- Helps address psychosocial issues for patients
- Assists in tracking patients who miss treatment
- Provides a support community to empower patients during treatment
15. Smoking Cessation Program
Launched in 1992, this program helps smokers quit through free counseling and support. It includes a dedicated clinic and the DOH Quitline 1558 hotline. Services are open to outpatients, inpatients, and phone callers.
Purpose: To support smokers in quitting and staying nicotine-free while preventing smoking-related diseases.
Features and Benefits:
- Free face-to-face coaching at the Lung Center of the Philippines
- Quitline 1558: Toll-free counseling via phone (Mon–Fri, 7AM–5PM)
- Online support via the MReady2Quit Facebook page
- Personalized support for quitting smoking or vaping
- Health education and lifestyle tips
- Referrals to local support groups
- Training for doctors and health workers to become quit advocates
- Public information materials on how to quit smoking
- Advocacy programs and hospital outreach
16. LCP Wellness Gym
The LCP Wellness Gym is located on the 2nd Floor, T-Block of the Lung Center of the Philippines. It’s supervised by licensed physical therapists and is open to clients who want to improve their health through guided exercise. It offers customized fitness and weight-loss programs for both men and women.
Purpose: To help individuals achieve better health and fitness through structured, affordable, and supervised wellness programs.
Features and Benefits:
- Supervised by trained Physical Therapy staff
- Tailored fitness programs:
- Fat-loss
- General fitness for men and women
- Toning for women
- Bodybuilding for men
- 12-week personalized exercise plan
- Consultation with a dietitian
- Fitness assessment and BMI monitoring
- Ideal for clients with BMI ≥ 25 or those with sleep disorders needing weight management
- Encourages sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes
- Located at LCP Gym, 2nd Floor (T-Block)
Video: Getting to Know the Lung Center
As the leader in pulmonary medicine, the Lung Center of the Philippines has always been at the forefront of respiratory care in the country since its establishment in 1981. It boasts of a rich history, a commitment to high-quality patient care, and a focus on research and prevention, while also offering numerous assistance and support programs on top of the medical services they offer specifically to not only heal but to also educate and serve the Filipino people when it comes to pulmonary health and rehabilitation. Watch this video to learn more about the LCP and the various programs and services it offers:
Contact Information
For inquiries and other concerns, you may reach out to the Lung Center via the following::
Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP)
- Address: Quezon Avenue, Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City 1100 Philippines
- Trunk Line Number: 8924-6101
- Official Email Address: records@lcp.gov.ph