NATONIN, Mountain Province – This municipality and its neighbouring municipalities now have better access to quality health services with the launching of the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center and the Super Health Center on July 2, 2024, both health facilities being located in Poblacion, Natonin.
The BUCAS Center is the first-of-its-kind to be established in the whole Cordillera region. According to Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital (LHMRH) Medical Center Chief Eduardo B. Calpito, the establishment of the BUCAS Center is aligned with the Philippine National Objectives for 2023-2028 and is anchored on the Universal Health Care’s (UHC) objective where every Filipino has access to quality health services and no Filipino is left behind.
This BUKAS center will operate under the collaborative supervision and management of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CHD-CAR), the municipal government unit, and the LHMRH.
Meanwhile, the Super Health Center (SHC) in Natonin, which cost ten million pesos, is the second SHC to be established in Mountain Province (MP). The first recipient of this center is the municipality of Barlig. DOH-CHD-CAR Regional Director Ferdinand M. Benbenen explained that the construction of the SHC, like the BUCAS Center, is in line with the implementation of the UHC Law. In addition, its construction leads to the achievement of the DOH’s “Bawat Pilipino, Ramdam and Kalusagan” agenda.
The launching of the two health facilities was graced by DOH Undersecretary for Health Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire. In her message, she emphasized that the operation of the launched health facilities calls for the collective effort of all stakeholders.
“Sabi ko nga kay Mayor, “alam ninyo po Mayor, hindi naman din kaya lang ng local government lang yan mag-isa, hindi rin lang naman kaya ng DOH mag isa yan, hindi rin lang naman kaya nina Congressman mag-isa yan at nina Governor mag-isa. Kailangan lagi tulong-tulong tayo,” she said.
In addition, Vergeire underscored that the services of the DOH is inclusive and will reach those in need of health services regardless of their background.
“… hindi po maliit, hindi po malaki, walang si-sinohin, basta kailangan ng tulong at nakita nating kailangang i-improve at kailangang mabigyan ang ating kababayan ng tama na serbisyong pangkalusugan, makikita ninyo po kami doon at mararamdaman ninyo ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan,” she also said.
Meanwhile, provincial officials Congress representative Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., Board Member Ezra Samson A. Gomez and Natonin Mayor Jose T. Agagon, were one in expressing their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to the DOH for their nonstop support to MP and in showing their support towards quality healthcare by committing themselves to providing assistance they can give to the BUCAS and SHC to ensure its continuous operation.
“May I also take this opportunity to renew and strengthen my partnership with all health workers towards our common goal of giving exemplary health service to our people,” Lacwasan said.
Other highlights during the launching were the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the DOH-CHD-CAR, the local government unit of Natonin, and the LHMRH; the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and turnover of the SHC to the local government unit of Natonin, including its blessing that was officiated by Reverend Father Antonio “Bar” Fangkingan, Jr.; the giving of simple tokens of gratitude to the visitors and guests ensued.
Also present during the launching were Vice Mayor Raymundo L. Lapasen, Provincial Health Officer Annie Claire B. Pekas, Provincial DOH Office’s Development Management Officer V Michael B. Capuyan, Jr., and other key stakeholders and personnel from the DOH, other provincial government officials, representatives of the municipal government of Natonin, LHMRH, and the Anastacia Rafael Sagel Memorial Hospital. By HENT
