Watsons Philippines brought its Alagang Pangkalusugan medical mission to Mandaluyong City on April 29, offering free health services to hundreds of residents at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology Gymnasium in Welfareville Compound.
Now in its fourth stop for the year, the long-running program offered free medical consultations, laboratory tests, dental services, and medicines to underserved communities—many of whom rarely prioritize checkups due to more urgent daily needs like food and work.
“In reality, in some communities, they don’t prioritize check-ups,” said Watsons Philippines senior AVP for Marketing, PR, and Sustainability Sharon Decapia.
“But we need to educate them—if you’re not healthy, it’s harder for you to support your family.”
Originally launched in 2013, Alagang Pangkalusugan is part of Watsons’ broader commitment to sustainability and community health.
This year, the company is holding 10 missions across the country, with previous stops in Camarines Sur and Benguet. Meanwhile, upcoming missions are planned in Cebu, Marikina, and Davao.
Over 500 residents were expected at the Mandaluyong mission, where they were given access to general consultations, sugar and cholesterol tests, urine analysis, medical counseling, and dental extractions.
Over-the-counter medications and vitamins—particularly for fever and heat-related illnesses—were also distributed, including medicine for children.
Watsons partnered with the SM Foundation, local government health workers, and more than a dozen volunteer doctors to carry out the initiative.
“Part of our employee program is to encourage volunteerism,” Decapia said. “It gives them an opportunity to give back and to interact with our customers face-to-face.”
Aside from medicine, personal care products were also made available to attendees. Depending on the area, Watsons also brings in additional services like eye check-ups and hearing tests.
Decapia emphasized that the program is designed not just to provide short-term relief but to encourage a mindset of preventive care—getting checked before symptoms worsen or lead to hospitalization.
“When the community is healthy, the family is healthy,” she said. “You uplift not just the individual, but the whole family and the whole community.”