Expanding Bucas Centers to Serve More Filipinos
The Marcos administration is set to build more Bucas centers across the Philippines in the next three years to improve healthcare access, especially in underserved communities. These Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (Bucas) centers bring essential medical services closer to Filipinos living in areas with limited health facilities.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. highlighted this plan during his recent State of the Nation Address, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare through Bucas centers. “In the span of three years, we increased the number of public hospitals and specialty centers. We have also established 53 Bucas centers across 32 provinces in the country,” he shared. These centers provide free outpatient services such as check-ups, x-rays, and lab tests without requiring hospital admission.
Healthcare for Every Town: A Historic Milestone
Moreover, the President proudly announced that every one of the 1,642 cities and municipalities now has at least one doctor. “And I am pleased to report that, for the very first time, every town in the Philippines now has a doctor. There is now someone to look after the health of the people in your communities,” he said.
Initially, the Department of Health planned to build only 28 Bucas centers aimed at serving 28 million poor Filipinos by 2028. However, with support from local governments, Congress, and private partners, more centers have been constructed since 2024.
Comprehensive and Free Medical Services Offered
These Bucas centers offer a wide range of outpatient services beyond basic care. They provide dental care, family medicine, OB-GYN services, orthopedics, endoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans, and even same-day surgeries—all free of charge. Primary care and emergency services are covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), ensuring patients do not bear the cost.
Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa explained that these centers aim to ease the burden on regional and local hospitals, which often face overcrowding and long patient queues. By delivering primary and emergency care at the community level, Bucas centers help bridge longstanding gaps in public health services.
Addressing Long-Standing Healthcare Challenges
Many Filipinos have historically traveled long distances to obtain basic medical care. The expansion of Bucas centers directly addresses this challenge by placing quality healthcare within reach of more communities. Local leaders noted that these facilities are a vital step toward equitable health access nationwide.
The government’s push for more Bucas centers reflects a broader strategy to enhance public health infrastructure and ensure every Filipino can receive timely medical attention close to home.
For more news and updates on healthcare development, visit Filipinokami.com.
