FREEPORT AREA OF BATAAN — The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) is eyeing to provide better medical services to some 36,967 workers of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) by improving the Enrique T. Garcia Jr. General Hospital (ETGJGH).

During a meeting with the Department of Health (DoH) Region III and Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital (MMWGH) on 3 March 2025, AFAB cited the necessity to improve the former Mariveles District Hospital.

The ETGJGH, located inside the FAB, also provides medical services to the residents of this town. AFAB said that with the growing number of workers here, it is only natural that the ETGJGH that caters to the medical services of the workers should be improved.

An official cited that FAB has seen significant employment growth, reflecting the effectiveness of the agency’s development strategies. “This growth is driven by a rising population and the expanding number of businesses in the area, highlighting AFAB’s successful management in creating a thriving economic hub,” AFAB cited.

The AFAB, DoH and MMWGH discussed the improvement of the hospital’s facilities, especially now that ETGJGH falls under the jurisdiction of the DoH.

“These improvements aim to make the hospital more efficient and accessible for both health workers and patients. By upgrading its facilities, the hospital can also enhance the quality of its services,” AFAB stated.

One of the proposed steps for improving hospital operations involves increasing the healthcare and administrative staff to further streamline services and organizational functions.

During the site visit, DoH representatives presented plans for the renovation of the unoccupied floors and the enhancement of the existing facilities. Additionally, they discussed the procurement of new healthcare equipment and the upgrading of current machines.

AFAB played a significant role in the meeting, especially in discussions related to property rights and land use. A crucial development stemming from this meeting is the enactment of Republic Act 11453, which mandates that the ETGJGH which presumably a provincial healthcare facility will now come under the jurisdiction of the DoH.

This change aligns with one of the key objectives of the Act, emphasizing its focus on improving healthcare infrastructure.

This shift highlights AFAB’s ongoing commitment to supporting healthcare initiatives, as well as the continued development of medical facilities within the Freeport Area of Bataan.