NEW ARMY CHIEF TO FAST-TRACK HOSPITAL RENOVATION, UPGRADE
Newly installed Army chief Maj. Gen. Arturo B Ortiz vowed during his
visit in Davao City yesterday (August 3) to fast-track the upgrade and
renovation of hospital facilities and procurement of other medical
equipment with an aim to give comfort to military patients for their
fast recovery.
True to his words delivered during his inaugural speech as the 53rd
Commanding General of the Army and in compliance to President Benigno
Aquino's pronouncements, MGen Ortiz wanted to fast-track the upgrade of
hospital facilities by allocating funds for the procurement of ECGs and
other medical equipment. He also ordered the rehabilitation of the
wards, making it more comfortable to the soldiers and other patients,
including wounded New People’s Army, while waiting for the complete
construction of the Army hospital inside 10th ID.
It must be recalled that sometime in January, the troops of 3rd Special
Forces Battalion encountered the notorious group of Zaldy Canete alias
Ka Jingoy, the Commanding Officer of FGU, Front 3, Southern Mindanao
Regional Committee, and in the process captured the wounded NPA
commander. Jingoy was evacuated for treatment to Panacan Hospital,
treated humanely despite his being a notorious bandit, and eventually
lived to tell the story.
On July 31, Maj. Gen. Ortiz surprised the personnel of Fort Bonifacio
General Hospital in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila by making unannounced
visit to see the real 'physical' condition of the hospital.
During his visit, the Army chief ordered the renovation and repair of
hospital facilities, particularly the comfort rooms and re-roofing of
the hospital, making it at par with the country’s premier hospitals. He
also wanted to install air condition and procure television sets for
each ward, especially the Heroes’ Ward, emphasizing on the military
patients' comfort and fast recovery. He also wanted the same for the
Army hospital in Tanay, Rizal.
While it continually upgrades the basic equipment of fighting units for
force protection, the Philippine Army also puts premium in the
improvement and enhancement of combat life support such as medical
equipment, hospital facilities, combat life saver kits, trained combat
medical aid men, field medics and improved medical evacuation.
MGen Ortiz visited the Headquarters 10th Infantry Division, Philippine
Army based in Camp Panacan, Davao City yesterday (August 3) to preside
over the change of command ceremony. After the ceremony, the Army Chief
inspected the conditions of wounded soldiers at the EMC Station Hospital
in Panacan, Davao City.
Maj. Gen. Jorge Segovia assumed as the new 10th ID chief, replacing Maj.
Gen. Carlos Holganza. MGen Segovia was the former Commander of the
Army's 2nd Infantry Division based in Tanay Rizal. He was responsible
for the decimation of communist terrorist (CT) fronts in Calabarzon
during his watch. His Internal Security Operations’ (ISO) innovations
will be tested to clear CT fronts in Compostela Valley and Davao area,
which is the AFP's national priority area. MGen Holganza, on the other
hand, has been elevated to the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM)
based in General Headquarters to oversee the countryside development
efforts all over the country. #
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