(Seated from left) Fourth district candidate for Congressman Dr. Giselle Maceda, incumbent Rep. Edward Maceda, Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, and Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto at the groundbreaking of the Maria Clara Super Health Center in Sampaloc. Behind them (left) are Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan, candidates for Councilor Christian Florendo and Dianne Nieto, Councilor Science Reyes, Chairman Freddie Bucad, candidates for Councilor Bong Marzan and Roy Bacani
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Manila Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto spearheaded the groundbreaking for a new health center that will rise in Sampaloc, Manila.
The city government said the Maria Clara Super Health Center marks another significant milestone for the city’s healthcare infrastructure apart from the Lacuna administration's six super health centers.
In her speech, the mayor highlighted the collaborative efforts between the national and local governments which made the project possible without incurring additional debt for the city.
She said the project was funded without additional borrowing, a clear response to the city's P17.8 billion debt left behind by the previous administration.
"Ayoko na po kasi talaga mangutang... kaya kinulit ko si Congressman Edward Maceda at di naman po siya nagdalawang-isip (Unlike before, I don’t want to incur more debt... that’s why I persistently reached out to Congressman Edward Maceda and he didn’t hesitate to help)," she added.
She said the project was made possible through funding from Congressman Maceda’s office and the support of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), with the local government ensuring that the center would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
Lacuna-Pangan also said that while Rep. Maceda's term will come to an end, his wife, Giselle Maceda, a doctor, will be taking over his position.
During the ceremony, the mayor was also joined by Manila Health Department Chief Dr. Arnold Pangan, Councilor Science Reyes, Councilor Candidate Bong Marzan, and Maria Clara Health Center physician-in-charge, Dr. Gerardo Benitez.
"Magmula po naman nang ako’y pagtiwalaan ninyo na maging punong lungsod, naging pangunahing prayoridad natin ang pagtitiyak na mapangalagaan ang kalusugan ng bawat mamamayan (Since you reposed your trust in me as mayor of Manila, ensuring the health of every resident has been our top priority)," she remarked.
She said her administration has championed the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act across the city, elevating the quality of services and strengthening the capacity of the facilities to provide primary healthcare to every resident in the city.
The new super health center in Sampaloc will feature a comprehensive range of medical services, including basic laboratory equipment, ECG, X-ray, and ultrasound for pregnant women.
The local chief executive also highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve the city's 44 health centers.
“Inuunti-unti po nating maipaayos ang apatnapu’t apat nating health center sa buong Maynila. At di rin po tayo nahihiyang manghingi ng tulong mula sa ating mga congressmen upang sila ang maghanap ng pondo na magagamit sa pagpapaayos ng ating mga pasilidad (We’ve been working slowly but surely to improve our health centers across Manila, and we aren’t afraid to ask for help from our congressmen to secure funding for these upgrades),” she added.
The upgraded facilities aim to make healthcare more accessible and allow patients to undergo basic lab procedures without having to wait in long lines at hospitals.