President Duterte's pledge to improve AFP Medical Center highlights his concern for soldiers' welfare

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): President Duterte's pledge to improve AFP Medical Center highlights his concern for soldiers' welfare

President Rodrigo R. Duterte's pledge to allocate PHP500 million for the upgrading of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center highlights his genuine concern for the well-being of the country's soldiers.

"This gesture of the President manifest his genuine concern on the well-being of his soldiers working for the accomplishment of their mission and their dependents tending their homes," AFP public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said.

"We are very grateful to the Commander-in-Chief for his assistance. The AFP Medical Center that caters primarily to military personnel and their immediate dependents has improved significantly in the recent years," he added.

But it still needs a lot of improvement to ensure that the hospital is able to provide premier medical attention to patients needing specialized treatment, Arevalo stressed.

President Duterte promised on Tuesday to give PHP500 million for the construction of new state-of-the-art building, facilities and equipment for the AFP Medical Center.

He made the promise after visiting wounded soldiers undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the AFP Medical Center in V. Luna St., Quezon City.

"I promise it to you, state-of-the-art equipment. There will be changes,” he said.

The President asked the AFP leadership and the soldiers to give him until December to finish the new building and the medical equipment.

He said he will also make sure that bidding for the construction of the new building and purchase of the equipment will be free from rigging and delay.

"The President can always count on the AFP to always serve its mandate with vigor and dedication," Arevalo added.

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