Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna and Vice Mayor Yul Servo on Monday led the groundbreaking ceremony for a new super health center in Sampaloc, the sixth such facility built under the Lacuna administration.

Lacuna stressed that the project did not require the city government to incur additional debt.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lacuna acknowledged the support of Manila Fourth District Representative Edward Maceda, whose office assisted with the project. She said the Maria Clara Super Health Center demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between national and local government.

“Congressman Edward Maceda funded this, and the Department of Public Works and Highways, a national government agency, will handle construction. We, in the local government, will ensure the new Maria Clara Health Center is adequately equipped,” Lacuna said.

She cited that residents of the fourth district are fortunate that Giselle Maceda, the congressman’s wife and a doctor, will succeed him in office.

Manila Health Department chief Dr. Arnold Pangan, Councilor Science Reyes, Councilor candidate Bong Marzan and Maria Clara Health Center physician-in-charge Dr. Gerardo Benitez also attended the ceremony.

“Since I was entrusted with the city’s leadership, ensuring the health of every resident has been a top priority,” Lacuna said.

“We have promoted the effective implementation of the Universal Health Care Act throughout the city, improved service quality, and strengthened the capacity to provide primary health care to every Manileño,” she added. “We are gradually improving our 44 health centers across Manila, and we are not afraid to seek assistance from our congressmen to secure funding for facility upgrades.”

Lacuna said the super health center will feature enhanced facilities, including basic laboratory equipment, ECG, X-ray and ultrasound for pregnant women.

“Basic laboratory procedures can be performed here at the health center, eliminating the need for patients to queue at hospitals,” the mayor said. “We will also have adequate consultation rooms and storage for medicines, especially regular maintenance medications for our elderly residents.”