DAVAO CITY, Aug. 12 — President Rodrigo Duterte promised to improve medical care in the country as he graced the centennial celebration of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) here Friday.
During the occasion, Duterte was welcomed by SPMC officials led by Dr. Leopoldo Vega, who recounted the hospital’s formative years and its struggle to achieve modernity to meet growing demands.
The president likewise recalled how he took part in the hospital’s early days, then called the Davao Medical Center (DMC), and how he personally delivered medical and financial assistance, especially for children, when he was still mayor of Davao City.
Duterte meanwhile reiterated his firm stance against corruption, as well as his commitment to ensure that his administration is corruption-free.
Stressing the value of honesty, he pointed to the government practice of awarding projects to the lowest bidder as a source of corruption.
“Kaya ako (That is why), I made a solemn promise, a vow to the nation and to the Filipino people, that there will never be a time that I will condone graft,” Duterte said. (PND)
