In its inaugural year, the Marcos administration’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers have significantly expanded access to medical care, reaching an estimated 800,000 Filipinos residing in remote and underserved areas. This landmark achievement underscores the administration’s commitment to bringing essential healthcare services closer to communities nationwide.
The establishment of the BUCAS centers was inspired by First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos’ “LAB For All” project, which aims to provide crucial medical assistance to the country’s most vulnerable populations, according to Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. The first BUCAS center commenced operations in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, in March 2024, marking the beginning of a nationwide effort to decentralize and enhance healthcare accessibility.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro highlighted the advanced capabilities of these facilities, stating, “These DOH BUCAS centers are equipped with modern medical equipment and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring that our citizens in the provinces receive prompt and high-quality medical and ambulatory care.”
During a briefing today, Undersecretary Castro announced that 51 BUCAS centers are now operational across 33 provinces, strategically distributed with 26 in Luzon, 8 in the Visayas, and 17 in Mindanao. These centers are currently serving over 500 patients daily, becoming a vital resource for Filipinos requiring immediate attention for non-life-threatening medical conditions.
“One of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s key programs, in collaboration with Health Secretary Ted Herbosa, is to bring healthcare services, typically found in hospitals, closer to our people. We now have 51 Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers open in 33 provinces nationwide,” Undersecretary Castro affirmed.
The BUCAS centers offer a comprehensive range of medical services, including essential laboratory tests such as complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry, urinalysis, blood typing, X-ray, ultrasonography, ECG, fecalysis, FOBT, dengue NS1, dengue IgG and IgM, COVID rapid antigen tests, and HBsAg. Furthermore, they provide tuberculosis and cancer screenings, vaccinations, and minor surgical operations for conditions like breast lumps, tumors, and cataracts.
Beyond diagnostics and minor surgeries, BUCAS centers offer consultations for prevalent conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care for mothers and their babies. Additional services include OB-Gyn consultations, mental health support, first aid and referral for injuries, nutrition services, dental care, animal bite treatment, and access to necessary medications through on-site pharmacies.
Recognizing the specific needs of the elderly, these facilities also provide specialized geriatric care, ENT (ear, nose, throat) services, orthopedic consultations, and surgical procedures.
Undersecretary Castro clarified that the majority of services at BUCAS centers are provided free of charge, with only specific medical procedures potentially requiring a minimal fee.
The successful rollout and significant impact of the BUCAS centers within their first year demonstrate the Marcos administration’s proactive approach to strengthening the Philippine healthcare system and ensuring that quality medical care is within reach for all Filipinos, regardless of their geographical location.
