Deputy Speaker and Valenzuela 2nd District Rep. Eric Morales Martinez leads the groundbreaking for the P208-million extension building of the Valenzuela Medical Center. Joining him in the photo are (L-R): Valenzuela City Councilor Tyson Sy; Medical Center Chief II Dr. Nimfa Putong; Deputy Speaker Weslie Gatchalian; Acting Brgy. Capt. Martell Soledad; SCCI president and CEO Engr. William Russell Scheirman Jr.; and Valenzuela City Coun. Gerald Galang. Contributed photo
(Updated June 16, 2022)
MANILA, Philippines — The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) will be expanded to improve quality health services to residents of Valenzuela City and even neighboring communities.
Deputy Speaker and Valenzuela City 2nd District Representative Eric Martinez expressed his sincerest gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte in successfully delivering his campaign promise of expanding Valenzuela Medical Center’s operational capacity to meet the growing needs of Valenzuelanos in its groundbreaking ceremony last May 20, 2022.
Martinez eagerly shared his brief conversation with the then-presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Duterte six years ago to the ceremony’s audience about his request to enhance the public hospital if he gets to Malacañang.
“Kung matatandaan mo pare (referring to Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go), kinalabit ko si Tatay Digong ‘nun. Tinuro ko ‘yung ospital. Vice Mayor pa lang ninyo po ako ‘nun,” Martinez recalled.
“Sabi ko, ‘Tatay, ‘pag ikaw na ang Presidente ng Pilipinas, iyang ospital na ‘yan, sana po’y maiayos natin. Tumango ang Tatay Digong sa ‘kin. Sabi niya, ‘Eric ‘wag ka mag-alala. Once we get to Malacañang we’ll work on it,'” he followed.
Martinez led the groundbreaking for the P208-million four-story extension building, which will expand the hospital’s operational capacity from 200 to 500 beds.
Deputy Speaker and Valenzuela City 2nd District Representative Eric Martinez expresses his gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte in successfully expanding the Valenzuela Medical Center’s operational capacity. Contributed photo
The building will likewise house the VMC’s expanded Radiology Department, Operating Room Complex and Surgical Intensive Care, Hemodialysis, Chemotherapy and Ambulatory Surgical Units.
It is also designed to accommodate rising numbers of patients, provide space for new and additional services, and enhance patient care quality and experience.
Currently, the hospital specializes in neonatal, geriatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, trauma, burn management, cancer care, stroke care, emerging and re-emerging infectious disease, and hemodialysis.
Since the granting of VMC expansion in 2018 by the Duterte administration, the hospital has constructed an Infectious Disease Clinic and Warehouse building which has a 134-bed operating capacity, two emergency rooms, and a Malasakit Center.
VMC’s extension building, located in a 6,600-square meter lot in Karuhatan, Valenzuela, is targeted to be completed in June 2023.
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