In Las Piñas, public service has long been shaped by a sense of responsibility that begins at home. It is a story that begins not in the halls of legislation, but in a deep and enduring connection to one’s hometown. For former Senator Cynthia Villar, that story traces back to her father, Dr. Filemon C. Aguilar, a beloved mayor whose dedication to his constituents defined how service should be lived and carried forward.

His approach to governance was anchored on the belief that public service must be experienced in daily life. For residents, this meant access to essential services, especially healthcare, delivered with consistency and attention. That example shaped Villar’s own path in public service, the idea that policy must translate into tangible support for communities. Over time, the same principle extended to the next generation, including Senator Camille Villar.

This continuity is most visible in the growth of the Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center. What began in 1977 as a modest outpatient clinic near the historic Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Church has developed into a vital healthcare institution serving southern Metro Manila and nearby provinces. For years, it remained the only national government hospital in the area, steadily addressing the needs of a growing population.

As a Department of Health facility, it operates under the government’s Zero Balance Billing program, which allows qualified patients to receive essential services without hospital billing at discharge.

Its expansion was not sudden but built through sustained legislative and institutional support. A key milestone was the passage of Republic Act 11497, which increased its capacity to 500 beds and enabled the construction of a larger and more modern facility. The direction was clear: strengthen public healthcare where demand is highest.