Las Pi±as: A new building of the Las Pi±as General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center (LPGH-STC), alongside a new access road, was inaugurated on Monday, paving the way for major enhancement to healthcare services in the city.

According to Philippines News Agency, the 12-story building will expand the capacity of LPGH-STC from 200 to 500 beds, while the opening of a 220-meter road along the river drive will provide permanent access to health facilities in the city.

Senator Cynthia Villar, who led the inauguration ceremonies, stated that the expansion of the hospital will not only serve Las Pi±as residents but also patients in South of Manila and nearby cities and municipalities of Cavite.

"The Covid pandemic has taught us to rethink our priorities in government especially the urgent need to expand and upgrade public hospitals and health facilities. Increasing our hospital bed capacity will ensure that regular healthcare services will not be disrupted in the event a similar health crisis arises in the future," Villar said in her keynote message.

The construction of the new hospital building was mandated by Republic Act No. 11497, which also upgrades its professional health care services and increases its workforce, including doctors, nurses, and support staff.