Access to essential healthcare moves closer to communities as SM Foundation turns over today two upgraded barangay health stations serving nearly 27,000 residents across multiple urban barangays in Bacolod City.
The newly improved facilities, Mabini Barangay Health Station and ETCS Barangay Health Station, are part of SM Foundation’s growing network of community health facilities. To date, the Foundation has renovated 228 health centers nationwide.
According to a press release, both health stations operate within the network of about 30 barangay health stations under the Bacolod City Health Office (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.
Barangay health stations have long been central to grassroots healthcare in the Philippines, dating back to their institutionalization in 1971. As communities transitioned into the formal barangay structure in the 1970s, these centers remained essential in ensuring that public health services, from vaccination drives to nutrition monitoring and family planning, reach the grassroots.
With the support of SM Foundation, both Bacolod facilities underwent renovations designed to improve service delivery and patient experience. Interior upgrades include new LED lighting, modern appliances, and more comfortable, patient- centered furnishings. Layout improvements were also introduced to support more efficient consultations and better patient flow.
The improved environment strengthens the role of healthcare workers in promoting disease prevention and health education, while building greater trust within the community. The upgrades also support expanded participation in PhilHealths YAKAP Program, particularly by enabling better use of electronic medical record enrollments.
By enhancing these community-based facilities, SM Foundation continues to help ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of Filipino families.*
