Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso announced the city government's successful purchase of the land for the soon-to-be-built brand new Ospital ng Tondo on Tuesday, Feb. 24, as part of its ongoing efforts in ensuring the Minimum Basic Needs (MBN) of Manileños.

Domagoso had earlier met with Finance Secretary Frederick Go and Department of Finance – Privatization and Management Office (PMO) Chief Michael Peter Alejandro to sign the Deed of Conditional Sale of the land on Abad Santos Avenue in Tondo where the Emmanuel Community Hospital currently stands. The land is said to be an idle property of the government.

According to him, the seven-story brand new Ospital ng Tondo will be 350 percent bigger than the old Ospital ng Tondo and will feature modern and top-class facilities at par with international standards.

The mayor attributed the purchase of the land to the city's efficient use of funds coming from Manila taxpayers.

"Bagama’t gipit ang inyong pamahalaang lungsod, taos‑puso tayong nagpapasalamat sa patuloy na tiwala at kumpiyansa ng ating mga taxpayers na ipinagkakatiwala sa atin ang kanilang pinaghirapang pera. Sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong tulad nito, pinatutunayan nating kaya natin itong gamitin nang episyente, masinop, at may malinaw at direktang pakinabang para sa bawat Manileño (Although your city government is under financial pressure, we are sincerely grateful for the continued trust and confidence of our taxpayers who entrust us with their hard-earned money. Through projects like this, we prove that we can use it efficiently, prudently, and with clear and direct benefits for every Manileño)," Domagoso said.

He noted that additional funds coming from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a nationwide initiative of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. aimed at boosting the national government's support to local government units (LGUs), were also used in the land's purchase.

Under the President's "Sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Bayan Makikinabang” program, P57.87 billion was allocated in supporting LGUs nationwide to be used in the creation of their key infrastructure projects and social support services.

"Ang itatayong Ospital ng Tondo ay bahagi ng mas malawak na programa ng pamahalaang lungsod na nakatuon sa Minimum Basic Needs, kabilang na ang pangangalagang pangkalusugan (The Ospital ng Tondo to be built is part of the city government's broader program focused on Minimum Basic Needs, including healthcare)," the mayor stressed.

Permanent employment

Domagoso, Go, and Alejandro also lauded the Sangguniang Panlungsod's approval of the mayor's recommendation for the regularization of healthcare workers currently working at Baseco Hospital or the President Corazon Aquino General Hospital.

During their meeting, the mayor also underscored the importance of properly choosing healthcare workers who have enough knowledge, honest compassion, and a heart willing to serve others.

"Patuloy ang Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila sa mga programang magpapapalakas ng serbisyong pangkalusugan para sa bawat Manileño (The City Government of Manila continues to promote programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening its healthcare capabilities for every Manileño)," he stressed.