Deputy Speaker Gloria Arroyo, Mike Arroyo and former Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo (l-r, seated), Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District), Dina Arroyo–Tantoco and former Bacolod Coucnilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan (l-r, standing) at Ignacio Lacson Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital.*
The Next Generation Advocate Foundation, through the Arroyo family, turned over medical equipment to the Ignacio Lacson Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Isabela, Negros Occidental, on Monday, October 24.
Dina Arroyo–Tantoco, who represented the foundation, said the turnover was being held on the birthday of her father, the late Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Tuason Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th District).
She said their family was also able to get Department of Health accreditation for an additional P2.5 million for the hospital and Next Gen will help execute that.
The goal is to help the Isabela hospital become world class, which the people of the 5th District deserve, Tantoco said.
Next Gen turned over computer desktops, medical equipment and instruments to the hospital.
Tantoco said they wanted to give back to the fifth district that is very close to the hearts of the Arroyos and to thank its people for their support for them.
Former president and Deputy House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said the donated equipment will add to the efficiency of the hospital.
She said Negros Occidental has been home to the Arroyos for a very long time.
Also at the Isabela rites was her husband, Mike Arroyo, and sister-in-law former Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health crisis has stretched health systems beyond their capacity and exposed their weaknesses worldwide.
“As such, responding to this public health emergency and minimizing its impact require every health resource to be maximized”.
He said that the Ignacio L. Arroyo Sr. Memorial District Hospital, which started as a semi-private puericulture center functioning mainly as a maternity and children’s clinic in the 1950s, has grown to be a vital health facility of the province, catering to thousands of patients, particularly indigents.
The hospital has been exceeding its bed capacity due to the volume of admissions, he said.
Lacson said he is truly grateful to Next Gen for the generous donation in the form of computers and various equipment for the emergency, operating, and delivery rooms, and clinical wards of the hospital.
He also thanked the Arroyo family for its consistent contribution for the advancement of hospital. “Your unfailing support is of great help in our efforts to bridge the gaps in our hospital services,” he said.
Former Bacolod Councilor Ricardo “Cano” Tan said Rep. Ignacio Arroyo may have passed away but he has not been forgotten by his family, friends and the people of fifth district.*