In 1962, then Senate President Gil Puyat was invited by the late Rep. Pedro G. Trono, M.D. to inaugurate the newly built Guimbal General Hospital in Guimbal town, right at the center of the First District of Iloilo.

Previously, in 1959, Rep. Trono cosponsored a Bill in Congress, Republic Act No. 2283 to establish emergency hospitals in the province of Iloilo, hence the birth of the Guimbal hospital. Upon the demise of Rep. Trono in 1979, then Assemblyman Salvador Britanico filed a bill, Batas Bilang 55, at the Batasang Pambansa to rename the hospital in memory of its author.

Over the past years, the hospital has undergone expansion and modernization, albeit at a gradual pace. But the most extensive and massive expansion, renovation and modernization was  initiated by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., which was completed this year. This is part of the governor’s overall plan to restore and sustain the premier status of Iloilo as one of the most progressive provinces in the country.

And so the children of Rep. Trono, Lucy and fashion designer Edgar Allan, requested the governor to approve their behest to donate a bronze bust of their father to decorate the entrance of the new, modern hospital edifice.

Despite the rainy weather, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. and Assemblyman Salvador Britanico joined Lucy and Edgar Allan Trono in unveiling the bust of Rep. Pedro G. Trono, M.D. Also joining them in the unveiling were Vice Gov. Christine Garin, Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias and Hospital Chief Dr. Rafael  Sabando.

In their midst stood the granddaughter of the late Senate President Gil Puyat, Mrs. Maylee Puyat Arnaldo, representing  her grandfather, who inaugurated the hospital over 50 years ago. Indeed, a Puyat has returned to Guimbal.