THE Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Region and the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) celebrated the 2nd Anniversary of the Tubao Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) Center with the theme, “DOH-ITRMC BUCAS Center: Alagang Para Sa’yo Taon-Taon,” highlighting two years of accessible, quality, and patient-centered healthcare services for the people of Tubao, La Union, and neighboring communities through a week-long series of health promotion and service activities, including medical and dental consultations, health education sessions, laboratory and diagnostic services, blood donation drives, wellness programs, and community outreach initiatives that reinforced the center’s commitment to bringing essential healthcare services closer to every Ilocano.
Since opening its doors in June 2024, the Tubao BUCAS Center has become a vital healthcare access point in La Union, serving 123,252 patients from June 2024 to May 2026, with an impressive average of 329 patients daily. The milestone underscores the growing trust of the community in the facility and its critical role in decongesting hospitals while ensuring timely and quality medical care.
Regional Director Dr. Paula Paz M. Sydiongco lauded the center’s remarkable accomplishments, emphasizing its contribution to the realization of Universal Health Care (UHC).
“The Tubao BUCAS Center stands as a shining example of how healthcare services can be brought closer to the people. For two years, it has provided quality, accessible, and compassionate care to thousands of patients, proving that no Filipino should be left behind when it comes to health services. The center embodies the commitment of the Department of Health to make Universal Health Care a reality in every community,” Sydiongco stated.
She added that the sustained utilization of the facility reflects the community’s confidence in government health programs and the dedication of healthcare workers who continuously deliver responsive and patient-centered services.
Meanwhile, ITRMC Medical Center Chief II Unity H. Cortez underscored the significance of the partnership between DOH, ITRMC, and the local government in ensuring the success of the BUCAS Center.
“The Tubao BUCAS Center is more than a healthcare facility—it is a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and service excellence. Through the combined efforts of DOH, ITRMC, and our local partners, we have successfully expanded access to quality healthcare closer to where people live. Serving more than 123,000 patients in just two years demonstrates the tremendous impact of this initiative on the lives of the people of La Union,” Cortez said.
The BUCAS Center provides outpatient consultations, diagnostic services, laboratory examinations, pharmacy services, and other ambulatory care interventions designed to address common health concerns without requiring hospitalization, thereby reducing the burden on tertiary hospitals.
As it celebrates its second year, the DOH-ITRMC Tubao BUCAS Center reaffirms its commitment to delivering responsive, efficient, and people-centered healthcare services, ensuring that every Ilocano has access to quality care when and where it is needed most.
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