Center to provide basic health services in highland barangay of central Iloilo

Residents of Brgy. Bucari in the highland part of Leon, Iloilo now have easy and fast access to the government’s basic health services with the completion of a 2-storey health center built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Iloilo 4th District Engineering Office.

In his report to Regional Director Lea N. Delfinado, OIC-District Engineer Mario G. Soriano said the center will serve as the community-based and patient-directed organization in this mountainous portion of the province.

“This center aims to provide necessary first aid services, maternal and child health care, and other basic healthcare services to the residents of this highland barangay in Leon,” Engr. Soriano said.

“Bucari is becoming one of the most visited tourist destinations in the province due to its cool climate, topography, and highland attractions and scenery such as Bucari Pine Forest an Imoy Falls, hence, dubbed as ‘Little Baguio’ and the ‘Summer Capital of Iloilo.’ Thus, the presence of the healthcare facility in the said barangay is significant not only for its residents but also for local and foreign tourists who may need emergency and first aid services,” he added.

Soriano also said that the center may also serve the residents from the neighboring barangays in Leon as well as the 7 barangays or the so-called ‘Seven Cities’ in the neighboring town of Alimodian.

Meantime, Director Delfinado said the construction of this health center is very significant and timely as the province, the country, the whole world is faced with COVID-19.

“Our stakeholders in these upland barangays can easily get basic and emergency health care services in this center, going to district and city hospitals, hence, possible transmission of the infection could be prevented,” RD Delfinado said. (DPWHR6/RPAIO)