SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City
August 11, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte attended the centennial celebration gala night of the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

He was briefed by Dr. Leopoldo Vega, SPMC Medical Center Chief II, on the photo gallery display about the fruitful history of the century-old SPMC.

In his message, President Duterte reminisced his experience in visiting several hospitals, including SPMC, during the Christmas season. “As Mayor of the City of Davao, I make the rounds of all hospitals during Christmas Day and magdala ako ng pagkain, mga regalo for the kids and on that day lahat ng reseta. All the — tawag nga nila resela, so sagot ko ‘yan talagang every patient who holds that — binibili ko… I make the rounds, so pagdating ko sa Children’s Ward, Pediatric Cancer Ward — isa-isahin ko ‘yan tapos I talk to the parents, I talk to the child,” the President said.

SPMC started in 1908 as a private missionary hospital run by an American medical staff. In 1917, it became an operational government-owned hospital through an Act 2727 passed by the Philippine Legislature. This provided funds for the acquisition of equipment of the then Davao Hospital, the first government-owned hospital in Davao.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, SPMC Medical Center Chief II Dr. Leopoldo Vega, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) Secretary Jesus Dureza, and health care professionals attended the 100th year celebration of SPMC.

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