CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “This project is very, very much appreciated because the number one priority of the province of Pampanga under Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda’s administration is health services.”
This, Speaker of the House Gloria Macapagal Arroyo told Ambassador Franz Jessen of the European Union (EU) during the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the Romana Pangan District Hospital (RPDH) in Floridablanca town and blessing and turn-over of the renovated and newly-constructed rooms here.
According to Pineda, the EU donated P10 million for the renovation of the emergency rooms, out-patient department room, dental, x-ray, laboratory, OB surgical ward, DR and the construction of five patient rooms.
Moreover, under the helm of Pineda, the 11 district hospitals in the province were given attention to improve the quality of health services.
It can be recalled then that the initial renovation of the RPDH was funded P13 million by the provincial government. For its continuing expansion, the provincial government would allot more than P32 million for it, according to Pineda.
“Dati po ay pinapangarap lang po natin ito, pero po ngayon nandito na, at sana ang mga kawani natin ay patuloy magbigay ng mas kalidad na serbisyo para sa kalusugan ng ating mga mamamayan.” Pineda said,
She added: “Ang kapitolyo po sa tulong ng ating Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members ay laging bukas para sa pangangailangan ng mga Kapampangan.”
Pineda also said that the Department of Health (DOH) also renovated some facilities here through the Hospital Facility Improvement Program (HFIP), where they revamped the multi-purpose hall, isolation room, and addition of cultural minority ward. The HFIP allotted P15 million for the project.
The RPDH also received a 2-storey Animal Bite Center building, funded by Senator Richard ‘Dick’ Gordon for P4 million.
Meanwhile, Jessen lauded Pineda and the DOH for their achievements in the health sector. According to Jessen, the EU is impressed by the continuous determination of the government in leaving nobody behind and reaching the vulnerable populations with financial, cultural and geographical barriers especially in terms of health.
The EU Ambassador also mentioned that it will fully support the objectives of the Philippine Health Agenda.
Floridablanca Mayor Darwin Manalansan, for his part, thanked the provincial government, SGMA, EU for extending its help in improving the quality of health services in the municipality.
“Let us continue to work together for the health of the people of Pampanga,” SGMA added.
The ceremony was witnessed by Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, Congresswoman and Chairman Committee on Health in Congress Angelina Tan, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III, DOH Region 3 Assistant Secretary Leonita Gorgolon, DOH Region 3 Director Cesar Cassion, 2nd District Board Member and Chairman Committee on Health Anthony Joseph Torres and Lubao Mayor Mylene Pineda-Cayabyab.
Also present were Board Members Fritzie David-Dizon, Salvador Dimson Jr., Renato Mutuc and Moshe Lacson, Floridablanca Vice Mayor Michael Galang and Sangguniang Bayan members, Department of Public Works and Highways Region 1 Director Ronnel Tan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 3 Director Audie Salac, Provincial Government Department Heads, and Hospital Administrators headed by Dr. Merlyn Baquiran.