Apayao Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. welcomed the launching of four new Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) Centers in the province.
The BUCAS Centers were launched in Daga, Conner; Mataguisi, Pudtol; Marag, Luna and Tanglagan, Calanasan.
Bulut said the centers are “a dream fulfilled for the province of Apayao” bringing medical services closer to the province’s most underserved communities.
“Natupad na ang matagal naming pinapangarap na mangyari, especially in the delivery of health services,” the governor said.
“Matagal ko nang pangarap ito, kaya noong naupo akong governor, I always ask: How will I bring health services to the doorstep of my constituents?” he added.
Apayao was once ranked among the poorest in the country.
It has been a challenge faced by the province faced in the past to reach adequate healthcare due to poor infrastructure and financial limitations.
“Ang mga tao dito hirap pumunta sa hospital. Hindi lang dahil sa transportation, syempre yung estado rin ng buhay kailangan din i-consider,” Bulut noted.
He shared that the province’s rise from poverty is a result of continued development efforts, which include improving health services and infrastructure.
“We were one of the poorest provinces in the country but we were able to turn the economy of the province around.”
“Before, we were one of the poorest provinces in the country but we were able to turn the economy of the province around kaya medyo nawala na kami sa poorest. It is because of the development that we are doing,” Bulut explained.
He pledged the provincial government’s full support to guarantee the success of the BUCAS Centers.
“Huwag po kayong mag alala Madam Usec., kami po ay nakaalalay kung ano man yung mga kailangan nating gawin para sa ikabubuti ng programang ito,” Bulut told Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire who was in Apayao during the event.
The BUCAS Centers are intended to serve as first-response facilities in medical emergencies, especially in areas where private healthcare options are non-existent.
“Dito sa Apayao walang private hospital, walang private clinic na pwedeng puntahan… We really have to provide services.”
“Dito sa Apayao walang private hospital, walang private clinic na pwedeng puntahan ng mga kababayan natin kapag may emergency. We really have to provide services, para at any given time, when there are emergencies, at least may mapupuntahan na malapit. Unlike sa urban areas, kapag may pera ka, pwede kang pumunta sa private clinic, dito kahit may pera ka, wala kang mapuntahang clinic. That is why the people need our intervention,” he said.
Bulut also pointed out that the road improvements are important in making sure the timely access to the healthcare centers.
“Kapag gumanda ang kalsada, mas madaling marating ang lugar, mas mabilis ang pagdating ng tulong at serbisyo, and eventually, the overall development will follow,” he concluded.
