Junjun Binay vows to build district hospital

MANILA, Philippines — Former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. promised on Thursday that the construction of a city government-funded hospital in the city’s first district would be his first infrastructure project ‎if he wins the mayoral race in 2019.

“Makati City is known as the country’s premiere financial district, but I believe that the greatness of our city is not determined by its wealth, but by the way it takes care of the health of its residents,” Binay said in a press statement.

Junjun said his father and namesake, former vice president Jejomar Binay, laid the foundation for a socialized health program “that is second to none.”

He cited the Yellow Card program, which gives free or affordable medical services to the city’s residents, through subsidies from the city government.

Junjun said he would focus on completing the construction of a tertiary hospital in the first district that will complement the Ospital ng Makati in the city’s second district.

The construction was stopped in 2015 and was not resumed during the current administration under his sister, Mayor Abby Binay.

The elder Binay described his daughter as a “very good” local executive who deserves to be reelected.

He said Abby has genuine compassion for the city’s residents, contrary to her predecessor, Romulo Peña.

Binay said Abby is better than Peña, whom he claims removed free medicine for residents during his term as acting mayor. – Robertzon Ramirez