SOON, residents in each and every locality in the province of Rizal would no longer have to go far for medical attention as the provincial government inaugurates its 11th Rizal Provincial Hospital System (RPHS) facility in Taytay, Rizal
At the ribbon-cutting culminating its “soft opening,” Rizal Gov. Nina Ynares cited the need to further promote the healthcare system in the province, and learn from what happened during the pandemic.
Other local officials who attended the inauguration include the project proponent former Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula, Vice Gov. Reynaldo San Juan Jr., former Governor Rebecca Ynares – and incumbent Taytay Mayor Allan De Leon who opposed the construction of the hospital citing the need to protect and restore what he then claimed as a heritage site.
The new RPHS Taytay Annex – a three-storey building, was constructed where the old municipal building once stood.
Aside from RPHS Taytay Annex, the provincial government has constructed three satellite hospitals in Antipolo City, one in Angono, one in Binangonan, one in Jalajala, one in Montalban and another in its old capital, the town of Morong.
Prioritizing Healthcare
In a brief message delivered before the ribbon-cutting, Gacula cited the need to promote welfare of the poor folks who couldn’t afford the high cost of hospitalization, adding that he does not regret the consequences of being a subject of complaint filed by a group closely identified with de Leon before the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Ganun talaga eh… kailangan namin tanggapin na kalakip ng pagiging lingkod-bayan ang pagharap sa mga kasong karaniwang isinasampa ng mga hindi kumporme sa proyekto kahit alam naman natin pare-pareho ang pangangailangan ng isang matinong pampublikong pagamutan para sa mga tao,” Gacula said in his message during the inauguration.
The case was filed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) based on the complaint of a group which calls itself Taytay Advocates of Cultural Heritage. The group insisted that the old municipal hall is a heritage site.
Interestingly no records identifying the old municipal hall building as a “heritage site” were found.
11th Facility in Rizal
Constructed from 2019 until 2022 under the administration of former Rizal governor Ynares and Gacula, in his capacity as mayor, the municipal government issued a statement describing the infrastructure that the incumbent mayor once opposed, as “a big help for Taytay and its residents.”
As stated on the marker unveiled during the ceremonies, the facility "stands as a proud testament to the welfare and well-being of every Rizaleno."
“The new infrastructure will greatly help Taytay and its residents avail of affordable and necessary healthcare services. By building the annex, medical care for residents, provided by the capacities of the provincial government, will also become more accessible to the municipality and other nearby areas like Cainta.
Prior to the inauguration of the P311-million hospital, local folks have already swarmed the facility to receive preliminary medical check-ups.
More Apprehensions
Even after RPHS Taytay Annex started operations, Taytay Advocates of Cultural Heritage issued a new warning to the Rizal Provincial Government against tearing down the adjacent San Juan Gym, which they claimed would be converted into a parking area.
“Nakakabagabag ang mga susunod na pangyayari. Tiyak nang itutuloy ang pag-demolish ng San Juan Gym – ang dating Plaza Libertad – para gawing parking area batay sa naudlot na plano ng Kapitolyo sa harap ng pagtutol at reklamo ng pamayanan.”
“Lalong magsisikip ang buong paligid. Masasalanta ang malaon nang tradisyong sibiko at kultura lalo na ang mga relihiyosong kaganapang dumadaloy mula sa Simbahan ng Taytay na isang rehistradong Important Cultural Property.”
“Hindi pa siguro huli ang lahat. Alalahanin natin ang values na Honor and Respect, at kaayusang prinsipyong Rule of Law.”
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