• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Around 27,000 residents in 15 barangays of Bacolod City will benefit from the improved services of Mabini and ETCS health stations, that were upgraded by SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), and turned over to the local government March 26.
“We ensure that these facilities are not only functional but also comfortable and dignified,” Connie Angeles, SMFI executive director for Health and Medical Programs, stressed during the turnover of the two health stations to Mayor Greg Gasataya, the City Health Office (CHO), headed by Dr. Carmela Gensoli, other city and barangay officials, and health and nutrition workers.
These stations are not just buildings, Angeles stressed. “This is about people, about family, and about bringing healthcare closer to where it is needed most (since) healthcare is more meaningful when it reaches people where they are.”
The Mabini Barangay Health Station in Barangay 28 serves barangays 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 37, and 38. The ETCS health station in Barangay 16, meanwhile, will cater to residents from barangays 13, 14, 15, 16, 34, 35, and 36.
The two are SMFI’s 227th and 228th renovated wellness center nationwide, and part of the foundation’s long-running health and wellness program that continues to expand access to primary care services across the Philippines, SM Bacolod said in a press release.
Gasataya highlighted the significance of the project, noting that the two health stations collectively serve around 25 percent of Bacolod’s total barangays. He thanked SMFI for the partnership, and for ensuring that Bacolodnons get access to essential healthcare services.
“The renovation is deeply appreciated because of the huge impact it will have on the delivery of health services in these communities. Healthcare remains one of the core programs of the city, and projects like this strengthen our capacity to serve our people,” the mayor stressed, and assured that the facilities will be well taken care of, in coordination with the CHO.
Both facilities underwent interior and structural improvements, designed to create a more patient-centered environment. Enhancements include the installation of LED lighting, provision of modern appliances, and upgraded furnishings to improve comfort for patients and healthcare workers alike.
Layout improvements were also introduced to enable more efficient consultations and better patient flow, helping optimize daily operations within the centers, as well as pharmacies stocked with medicines and other supplies.
These stations operate within the network of about 30 barangay health stations under the CHO, delivering frontline services that include consultations, maternal and child care, immunizations, and treatment for minor illnesses. These facilities serve as the first point of contact for patients, bringing healthcare closer to communities.
Gensoli said in a city press release that the health facility upgrade is a testament to a strong public-private partnership. “Your generosity provides more than just medicines and equipment,” she told SMFI. “It provides dignity and hope to every patient”, who enters the health station.
To support the government’s push for digital healthcare services, the Mabini and ETCS health stations were equipped with two new laptops to facilitate electronic medical record (EMR) enrollment, and strengthen participation in PhilHealth’s Yakap program, which promotes accessible and inclusive healthcare services at the community level.
Angeles emphasized SM Foundation’s continued commitment to strengthening grassroots healthcare systems. “Health centers are often the first point of care for many Filipino families. By upgrading these facilities, we aim to support healthcare workers and ensure that communities receive the quality care they deserve, closer to home.”
SM Foundation has been actively rehabilitating and upgrading rural and urban health units across the country, with similar projects completed in several provinces, such as Laguna, Cebu, and Davao, reinforcing its commitment to making quality healthcare more accessible to underserved populations.
By enhancing community-based healthcare facilities, SMFI continues to help ensure that essential health services remain accessible, affordable, and responsive to the evolving needs of Filipino families. | CGC
