Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Tuesday, Feb. 3, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new San Nicolas Health Center, underscoring the importance of swift action, clear directives, and firm timelines in public service.
In his remarks, the mayor said the project stemmed from his personal inspection of the old San Nicolas Health Center, which he found to be in poor condition.
He said the situation prompted him to immediately order a technical assessment instead of relying on secondhand reports.
“Pag-alis na pag-alis ko, sabi ko kay Andres, ‘Bisitahin niyo na ‘yun. Padala mo ‘yung inhinyero. Tingnan ninyo anong magagawa natin, then you come up with the report within 48 hours (Right after I left, I told Andres, ‘Go visit it already. Send the engineer. See what we can do, then come up with a report within 48 hours),’” Domagoso recalled.
He said the initial recommendations focused on minor repairs such as fixing gutters and addressing mold, but he rejected the proposal, saying leadership requires long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes.
He then instructed City Engineer Armand Andres to prioritize the design and long-term integrity of the facility over budget limitations.
Domagoso said funding became available after the city identified recoverable funds, which were subsequently allocated to the San Nicolas Health Center upon his instruction.
He credited City Treasurer Paul Vega for facilitating the process.
“Nakita natin ‘yung mga ilang nakatagong pera ng lungsod na nagkaroon ng interes at nakuha natin ulit (We were able to uncover some of the city’s hidden funds that had earned interest, and we were able to recover them,” he said. “Sabi ko kay City Treasurer, ilaan mo sa San Nicolas Health Center (I told the City Treasurer to allocate it to the San Nicolas Health Center).”
The ceremony marked the start of the full redevelopment of the health facility, which serves residents of San Nicolas and nearby communities in Manila’s Third District.
Based on the approved design presented during the event, the new health center will include a reception area, consultation room, minor surgery room, pharmacy, medical technology room, and dental office.
The mayor said the project aims to improve both patient care and the working conditions of healthcare personnel assigned to the facility.
He emphasized that his directives are always paired with deadlines to ensure implementation, adding that city officials are expected to find lawful means to deliver essential services even amid limited resources.
Domagoso also noted that health facility projects are coordinated with national government partners to ensure compliance with standards, with designs validated by the Department of Health (DOH) prior to implementation.
Present during the ceremony were OIC–City Health Officer Grace Padilla, city councilors, personnel of the San Nicolas Health Center, barangay health workers, and barangay nutrition workers.
The mayor assured healthcare workers that the city government is committed to providing a safe and conducive workplace, while urging them to continue delivering compassionate service to the public.