Since there are no buyers for the 57-year-old presidential yacht BRP Ang Pangulo, President Rodrigo Duterte is planning to convert it into a floating hospital to be deployed in conflict-torn areas in the country.

Duterte initially planned to sell the yacht and use the proceeds to upgrade the country’s hospital facilities and improve the welfare of war veterans.

“Sana nga noon, ipagbili ko ‘yung Pag-asa to rebuild ‘yung V. Luna pero sabi nila, nobody’s (interested) …(there are)  no takers. ‘Yan kasi luma na, mahina. I will either convert it into a hospital, tingnan ko lang kung how much I would spend [I wanted to sell Pag-asa to rebuild V.Luna (hospital) but there are no takers because it is old, it’s weak. I will convert it into a hospital. I’ll just check how much I would spend],” Duterte told government troops at the Western Mindanao Command headquarters last Thursday night.

“Gagawin ko ‘yang hospital, ilalagay ko sa… well, wherever the fighting is, sirain  ko lang yung loob, lagyan ko lang ng mga operating rooms, para iyan ang gawin ko. Walang silbi yan barko na ‘yan eh so pakinabangan na lang natin [It will be deployed to wherever the fighting is. I’ll refurbish the interior, place some operating rooms. The ship has no use so we might as well turn it into something that will benefit our people],” he added.

The 77.33 meter-long, 2,200-ton ship was given to the administration of Carlos P. Garcia in 1959 as part of the war reparations by Japan. It went through many name changes and has been used for various purposes including relief, emergency transport and other support for the Philippine Navy.

President Duterte, however, has not yet ruled out the sale of the presidential yacht. He shared anew his plans to improve the facilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, also known as the V. Luna General hospital in Quezon City.

“If somebody’s willing to buy it, pag ang kita niyan, maaasahan  ninyo, diretso, I will rebuild  the V. Luna. I will complete it,” he said.

“I will add another building and you will have the operative best medical treatment. It will have everything,” he added.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Genalyn Kabiling

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