By Christopher Lloyd/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) held on Tuesday the ceremonial groundbreaking for the construction of its PHP500-million, four-story medical center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde, who led the groundbreaking ceremony together with NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said the hospital will serve the policemen in Metro Manila and will have a breast center, neuro-psychiatric, medical, dental and administrative center for police officers and police applicants.
Eleazar said the construction of the 7,000-square meter hospital compound will start in July and is expected to be finished by 2021 and will be funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and some partners from the private sector.
“There has been a commitment of PHP500 million for the construction and PHP110 million for the equipment. With this big medical facility, we will also be able to process neuro-psychiatric tests,” Eleazar told Philippine News Agency (PNA) on the sidelines of the groundbreaking ceremony.
Aside from police applicants, cops who are already in the service will benefit from the facility.
“They don’t have to go to Camp Crame anymore to process neuro-psychiatric exams because that will be available here. We continue to strengthen our ranks not only through ensuring peace and order in the community but also through beefing up our logistical resources,” Albayalde said in his welcome remarks.
“While we wait for the construction of this building to finish, I expect you to do your best in the performance of your duty. As I have said time and again, if we all work together, we can better serve the Filipino people and our country,” the PNP chief said.
For her part, Pagcor Chairman Andrea D. Domingo said the PHP500-million construction cost of the hospital will be shouldered by Resorts World Manila through its cultural foundation while the agency will provide PHP50 to PHP100 million for the equipment of the facility.
“For that, we are very happy to be working in Pagcor 24/7 because the casino never stop working also because we know that the money we earn goes not only to the general public but also helps those who risk their lives to protect us and to provide us a peaceful life,” Domingo said.
The NCRPO Medical Center compound which will also have a recruitment and administration building, a retreat house, and chapel.
The two-story retreat house will be known as the ‘Bahay Pari’ complex which will be used for activities aimed at enriching the spiritual being of the police.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website
