First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos on Thursday led the groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art 15-story medical arts and multi-specialty building of the West Visayas State University Medical Center (WVSUMC) here.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who also graced the event, said the WVSUMC expansion project represents yet another enduring legacy of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as it will meet the growing healthcare needs of the Visayas region and even of Mindanao.
The lawmaker likened the groundbreaking of the WVSUMC expansion project to “planting the seeds for future excellence in healthcare education and delivery in the Visayas and beyond.”
“This facility is poised to become a critical hub for medical training, addressing the growing demand for healthcare professionals equipped to handle future health challenges,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez said that while the President is from Ilocos, he is an Ilonggo by choice being married to the First Lady whose roots are from Iloilo.
He said Iloilo, being the historical center of the Philippines, set the bar very high for other Filipinos.
“We take pride in being cared and we are here today to support this groundbreaking and other initiative that you have in store,” he added.
The multi-year project with a total floor area of 42,951 square meters has an estimated amount of PHP3.2 billion with an initial release of PHP500 million under the Fiscal Year 2023 General Appropriations Act, according to Public Works and Highways regional director Engr. Sonny Boy Oropel in his project brief.
“The medical center will have 10 state-of-the-art operating rooms. The hospital’s bed capacity is extensive, catering to a diverse range of medical needs and emergencies. It has a total of 360 beds, comprising 186 for wards and 123 for private rooms, alongside 51 beds designated for intensive care units,” Oropel said.
He added that DPWH is proposing to construct a helipad on the roof deck to cater to any emergency needing immediate transportation of critical patients.
Romualdez thanked House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co of the Ako Bicol Party-list and House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 2nd district Rep. Janette Garin for facilitating the funding for the expansion project of the WVSUMC.
“This is teamwork, and this is all because of the direction set by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” he said.
The WVSUMC is akin to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), renowned for its outstanding medical training and services.
It serves as an educational institution that offers future top medical practitioners the opportunity to excel, all while benefiting from minimal tuition fees.
Acknowledging the vital contributions of partners and stakeholders, Romualdez expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her instrumental role in bringing to fruition this enduring legacy of the Marcos administration, grounded in the belief that every life is invaluable.
Last month, the Marcos administration also started the construction of a 20-story Cancer Center building in Quezon City, a significant addition to the medical complex established during the term of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., housing a cluster of specialty hospitals including the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, the Philippine Heart Center, the Lung Center, and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
Romualdez commended the WVSUMC leadership, led by Dr. Joselito Villaruz, for aligning with the national health goals.
“Your efforts make the daunting task of safeguarding Filipino health that much easier,” he said. (PNA)
