AFP sees much improved hospital with Duterte's promise of P500M

The military on Wednesday welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte's promise to release P500 million for the modernization of the AFP Medical Center and the construction of a new hospital building.

"We're happy because we can address our immediate needs, including construction of buildings," said Brig. Gen. Joseph Acosta, the hospital's commanding officer.

Duterte made the promise during a visit to the facility on Tuesday. The 1,200-bed hospital, located in Quezon City, caters to the medical needs of soldiers, their dependents, militiamen, and civilian military personnel.

"We are very grateful to the commander-in-chief for this assistance," said Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Egard Arevalo, adding the gesture "manifests [Duterte's] genuine concern on the well-being of his soldiers."

Arevalo said the hospital, formerly known as the V. Luna Hospital, needs more improvement to perform its mandate.

"A lot improvements may still be done to ensure that the hospital is able to provide premier medical attention patients who deserves that kind of treatment," he said.

Acosta said with the amount, the hospital's medical equipment will be updated, and more equipment will be added. He also said they will prioritize the projects proposed to Duterte, which the latter immediately approved.  —Jessica Bartolome/KBK, GMA News