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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Zamora claps back: San Juan mayor defends hospital upgrades vs Ejercito jab

Zamora claps back: San Juan mayor defends hospital upgrades vs Ejercito jab

Published Apr 28, 2026 11:11 am
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (Photo from Zamora’s Facebook)
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora (Photo from Zamora’s Facebook)
San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora defended the ongoing improvements at the San Juan Medical Center, stressing that the city government is addressing long-standing gaps in equipment, facilities, and hospital development amid criticism from Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.
Zamora said the upgrades are part of a broader effort to elevate the city’s lone public hospital to Level 3 classification.
In a Facebook Live session, he said several medical equipment items were delivered but remained unused and still in boxes, with installation areas unfinished and previous expansion works left incomplete.
He also pointed out that the hospital remained at Level 1 for about 18 years under previous administrations, limiting its capacity for advanced medical procedures.
“In just a few years, we reached Level 2 and we are now pushing for Level 3,” Zamora said, noting that the upgrade would allow more complex services to be performed within the facility.
The mayor cited increasing budget allocations over the years, from ₱61 million in 2001, ₱110 million in 2010, ₱315 million in 2019, to ₱644 million in 2026, which he said reflects sustained investment in public health services.
Zamora said priority projects include the acquisition of an MRI machine, CT scan unit, dialysis center, and catheterization laboratory, which would enable procedures such as angiography and angioplasty to be performed within the hospital.
He added that personnel conditions have also improved, citing higher salaries, regularization of employees, promotions, and increased staffing levels.
Zamora said he has coordinated with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa to secure additional support and ensure compliance with Department of Health requirements for Level 3 upgrading.
While acknowledging remaining gaps, he said improvements are being implemented “step by step” under a structured development roadmap, as he defended broader governance priorities in health, education, infrastructure, and peace and order.
The mayor dismissed the criticism as politically driven, saying he expects continued opposition from Ejercito.
Ejercito earlier expressed concern over the hospital’s condition, citing allegedly underutilized expansions and medical equipment acquired before 2019, and urged the city government to prioritize strengthening health services.
Zamora set a target date of June 30, 2028 for completing major upgrades and achieving Level 3 status for the San Juan Medical Center.

Related Tags

METRONEWS San Juan City San Juan Medical Center Francis Zamora JV Ejercito hospital upgrades political dispute
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