Quezon’s Rep. Suarez leads groundbreaking of Lucena City General Hospital
Quezon Province 2nd District Representative David “JayJay” Suarez on Friday, January 15, led the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Lucena City General Hospital (LCGH) in Brgy, Mayao Parada, in Lucena City, Quezon Province. The LCGH multi-purpose building is a PHP 40, 000, 000 priority project of Rep. David Suarez and Alona Partylist Rep. Anna Suarez to decongest the Quezon Medical Center, and to buff up the healthcare programs not just of District 2, but of the entire province of Quezon. When fully operational, the 150-bed capacity of LCGH will greatly decongest the Quezon Medical Center – the only government hospital in the province, which has a 200-bed capacity and admits an average of 42, 269 patients yearly.
In a speech during the groundbreaking event, Cong. Suarez emphasized the importance of focusing on health programs in light of the pandemic. “Sa matagal na pagseserbisyo natin sa ating lalawigan, isa po ang kalusugan sa pundasyon ng ating panunungkulan. Kasama si Cong. Anna, nilunsad natin ang mga birthing centers sa ating probinsiya para sa ating mga nanay. Sa pagtatayo natin ng Lucena City General Hospital, bahagi ito ng malalim nating adbokasiya upang protektahan ang kalusugan ng bawat Quezonian,” Rep. Suarez said.
“Iyong Quezon Medical Center, kailangan hong ma-decongest iyan. Ngayong pandemya, nakita natin ang kahalagahan ng buong industriya ng kalusugan. Itong LCGH ay continuation of our strong commitment to modernize our healthcare system, and to be a national frontrunner of responding to the needs of our people.”
Quezon province garnered multiple awards in the area of progressive healthcare programs such as Green Banner Award of 2018 (Crown Award) for Outstanding Comprehensive Nutrition Program, and the Galing Pook Award for Lingap sa Kalusugan/Health Coupon Program.
“Ang kalusugan, parte po ‘yan ng maraming bagay sa ating buhay. Mahirap mag-aral kung may sakit, at hindi ikaw ang top choice for employment kung marami kang iniinda. Lalo na ngayong pandemya, our health is our first shield against a virus that has no massively available cure yet,” Rep. Suarez said. “Our program to expand and improve our existing healthcare system is proof of our commitment to responding to our province’s programs in deep and holistic ways possible,” he furthered.
He also lauded the provincial government for being proactive with its policies, which made it effective in handling the pandemic. “Our province, through the leadership of Gov. Danny and the provincial government, expanded many healthcare programs. Iyong mga healthcare coupons natin, inexpand upang makasama ang mga pribadong ospital, dahil kung mas mae-empower ang mga kababayan natin kung mas marami silang choices. Itong foresight na meron ang ating probinsiya through our current leaders ang dahilan kung bakit napagaan natin ang pasanin natin sa kalusugan lalo na sa gitna ng COVID-19 crisis,” Rep. Suarez said.
Aside from the construction of a new hospital, Rep. Suarez’s programs include focus on First One Thousand Days of Life (Q1K), No Balance Billing, funding for Barangay Nutrition Scholars, among others. He also thanked the national government for being a strong partner for multiple initiatives not only in the second district, but of the entire province. “Ito hong programang pangkalusugan natin, matagal na ho nating panata at ginagawa sa probinsiya. Masaya tayo na kinikilala ng national government ang lahat ng plano natin. Iyong presensiya ni Sen. Kuya Bong Go, who’s also the chair of the Committee on Health sa Senado, ay maliwanag na patunay na suportado tayo ni Pangulong Duterte. We are partners for change and partners for health,” he ended.
The event was attended by Gov. Danilo Suarez, Vice-Gov. Samuel Nantes, and members of the provincial government, and Lucena City Mayor Roderick “Dondon” Alcala, Vice-Mayor Philip Castillo, and other members of the Local Government. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also delivered a message as the event’s guest of honor.
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