Now that the rehabilitation of their offices, consultation rooms and facilities has been completed, the health workers of San Juan District Reproductive Health Center and Birthing Facility in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte are even more motivated to serve their constituents.
The health center is the second health facility in Surigao del Norte rehabilitated by BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank. Weeks earlier, the foundation also completed the renovation of San Francisco Rural Health Unit in the neighboring town of San Francisco.
In San Juan, BDO Foundation’s initiative helps improve the delivery of primary health services to 14 barangays, some of which are island barangays.
“We are so grateful that our health center was chosen by BDO Foundation as its beneficiary,” said assistant city health officer Dr. Charito Arriba as she accepted their new and improved rural health unit. “This will inspire us to work harder. In fact, we are all excited to get back to work.”
The rehabilitated health center was turned over to local officials by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito, BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa, BDO Surigao branch head Domilyn Villareal and officers of One Network Bank, the rural bank subsidiary of BDO.
BDO and ONB branches support the foundation’s corporate citizenship initiatives nationwide.
BDO Foundation improved the health center’s reception and waiting areas, doctor’s and nurses’ offices, consultation room, multi-purpose room, dental office, and laboratory. Its birthing facilities were also refurbished so good quality patient care is available to mothers and their babies. The health center averages around two births per day.
BDO Foundation’s rehabilitation program is in line with its advocacy to help improve primary and maternal healthcare services all over the Philippines, particularly in places affected by disasters. A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit Surigao del Norte in 2017, affecting at least 300 families.