As the Philippines continued to recover from the pandemic, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank continued its efforts to help improve the health and well-being of Filipinos.
Despite logistical limitations caused by COVID-19, BDO Foundation recently completed the rehabilitation of Maasin Rural Health Unit and Birthing Facility in Iloilo, Mampang Health Center in Zamboanga City, and Infanta Municipal Health Office in Quezon. It also renovated two rural health units (RHUs) in Agusan del Sur: Rural Health Unit and Reproductive Health Center Prosperidad, and Municipal Health Office and Reproductive Health Center La Paz.
The foundation has successfully rehabilitated a total of 126 RHUs since 2012, benefiting a total of 6.8 million people all over the country. The program benefits nursing mothers, infants and children, persons with disabilities, senior citizens and other patients. Most of these patients cannot afford to go to hospitals. Many live in remote and underserved areas.
“La Paz is considered a GIDA (geographically isolated and disadvantaged area),” La Paz municipal health officer Dr. Hairam Encendencia revealed. “Our constituents—about 85 percent of whom are indigenous peoples—benefit from the rehabilitated RHU. Through BDO Foundation, our dream of having a better health center was realized. More than just the renovation, the foundation also provided us tables, chairs, and equipment.”
As part of its ongoing rehabilitation program, BDO Foundation improves the layout of health centers, their interiors and exteriors, lobbies and waiting areas, offices, birthing clinics, consultation, and treatment rooms, pharmacies, facilities, furniture, and fixtures. The foundation also constructs breastfeeding stations, play areas for children, and waiting lounges for senior citizens.
According to Mampang medical officer IV Dr. Merhaya Indanan, “We feel honored and blessed that our facility was chosen for rehabilitation. With the project completed, our constituents will be more encouraged to avail of our services.”
“On behalf of our community, I would like to thank the foundation for finding ways to help us make quality healthcare available in our barangay as well as to neighboring barangays,” the doctor added.
BDO Foundation’s corporate citizenship initiative in Agusan Del Sur, Iloilo, Quezon, and Zamboanga City contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal no. 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of all people of all ages. As a pandemic response, the initiative is critical as health centers provide free antigen testing and help implement the vaccination programs of local government units.
The rehabilitation of RHUs is made possible with the support of BDO and BDO Network Bank officers, who recommend health centers that need help.