The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received Tuesday, April 19, a new modular hospital facility from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) which will further boost the medical care needs and Covid-19 response of the Health Service Command (AFPHSC) for its military and civilian personnel.
DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado led the turnover of the 22-bed modular hospital facility which is also complete with healthcare amenities, toilet, and utilities at the Victoriano Luna Medical Center (VLMC) compound in Diliman, Quezon City.
"The facility will enhance the AFPHSC’s Covid-19 control measures by having the additional capacity to attend to the medical care needs of military and civilian personnel including their immediate dependents," Mercado said in a statement.
"We hope that this newly-completed facility will be able to supplement the much-needed additional hospital rooms and emergency facilities for severe and critical Covid-19 cases," he added.
The hospital project worth P21.864 million is a joint undertaking of the DPWH, Department of Health, and Department of National Defense (DND) through the AFP.
Lt. Gen. Erickson Gloria, AFP vice chief of staff, said in his speech during the turnover ceremony that it was the second modular hospital that was built by the DPWH for the AFP.
The first one was turned over to the V. Luna Medical Center, the premier medical and health care provider of the AFP, in June 2021.
He said the collaboration between the AFP and DPWH demonstrates both agencies' commitment to achieve genuine peace and inclusive development through various infrastructure projects.
"Let me emphasize that aside from servicing our troops, this new facility and the whole AFPHSC shall also be ready to serve our fellow Filipinos at all times, and under any circumstance," Gloria said.
Other attendees during the ceremony were Brig. Gen. Edgar Cardinoza, commander of the AFPHSC; DPWH Senior Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rafael Yabut; Undersecretary and Task Force on Augmentation of Local and National Health Facilities Head Emil K. Sadain; DPWH Asst. Secs. Wilfredo Mallari and Rolito Manalo; and representatives from the DPWH Quezon City second district engineering office.