MANILA — The Department of Health-Ilocos Region recently opened its sixth rural health unit in Bayambang, Pangasinan located in Barangay Mangayao.
Opened last Wednesday (February 22, 2023), the health facility is a local government initiative subsidized by the municipal development fund with a budget amounting to ₱2M.
Assistant Regional Director Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz, who was the guest of honor during the blessing and opening of the health facility, lauded the local government of Bayambang led by its Mayor Niña Jose-Quiambao for prioritizing health and facilitating the establishment of community health centers which provide basic care that improves health outcomes of the residents.
The first lady mayor of Bayambang is a former ABS-CBN actress and Pinoy Big Brother House Mate.
“Ang benepisyo ng mga rural health units ay umaabot hindi lamang sa mga residente, kabilang na rin dito ang mga paaralan, business estabishments at mga lugar ng trabaho na nasasakupan nito. Kapag may RHU sa isang lugar, nakakapag-save tayo ng pera dahil hindi na natin kailangang pumunta pa sa bayan upang makapagpagamot at ang pinakaimportante ay nababawasan ang pagkalat ng mga sakit sa komunidad dahil ito ay nababantayan at nagagamot agad ng ating mga health workers,” Abornoz said.
“Pagtulungan po natin ang paglalagay ng mga importanteng kagamitan sa health center na ito upang makumpleto at makapagbigay tayo ng tamang pagsusuri sa mga suliraning pangkalusugan ng ating mga residente.”
Albornoz assured that the regional office will provide the necessary support to make the rural health unit a functioning health facility that will provide the needed health services.
In all, the town of Bayambang now has six (6) rural health units and has the most number of RHUs in the province of Pangasinan followed by San Carlos City with five (5).
Other existing health facilities are located in barangays Poblacion (RHU1), Wawa (RHU2), Carungay (RHU3), Macayocayo (RHU4) and Pantol (RHU5).
Bayambang Municipal Health Officer, Paz F. Vallo said that the lot for the health facility was donated by Dr. Cezar T. Quiambao, husband of the lady mayor.
“Itinayo ang RHU6 ng aming lokal na pamahalaan upang mailapit ang mga health services sa mga mga residente ng District 8. Magkakaroon ito ng comprehensive at primary health care services gaya ng proper consultations, laboratory tests at iba pang mga health treatment and care services na kailangan ng mga tao sa komunidad.”
The new facility was blessed by St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church Rector, Fr. Reydentor Mejia together with various officials and staff from the Pangasinan DOH Provincial Health Office, municipal health office, municipal council, barangay council and barangay health workers of Mangayao.
(Amado Inigo/MTVN)
