RESIDENTS of Vigan City and nearby communities can now access quality healthcare closer to home as the Department of Health (DOH)–Ilocos Region, together with the City Government of Vigan, formally inaugurated the Vigan City Primary Care Facility on July 18, 2026—a significant milestone in the government’s continuing implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.
The new facility strengthens the local health system by providing comprehensive frontline healthcare services, allowing residents to receive essential medical care within their community before illnesses become emergencies or require hospitalization.
Regional Director Dr. Helen D. Tobias said the facility demonstrates the government’s commitment to making Universal Health Care a reality for every Filipino.
“Universal Health Care begins with strong primary care. This facility ensures that families can receive quality healthcare close to home—where illnesses are detected early, chronic diseases are managed promptly, mothers and children receive essential care, and preventive services become part of everyday life. When people have access to healthcare before conditions become critical, we save lives, reduce unnecessary hospital admissions, and lessen the financial burden on Filipino families.”
The Vigan City Primary Care Facility offers medical consultations, routine check-ups, diagnostic services, maternal and child healthcare, immunization, outpatient care, preventive wellness programs, early disease screening, and access to essential medicines. By serving as the community’s first point of contact with the healthcare system, it bridges the gap between barangay-level health services and hospital-based care, ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
Tobias also emphasized that strengthening primary healthcare is key to building a more resilient and equitable health system.
“No Filipino should have to travel far for basic health services. Through strategic investments in primary care facilities, we are bringing healthcare closer to where people live and making quality health services more accessible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of every Ilokano.”
The facility is a product of the government’s sustained investment through the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP). It is expected to significantly expand the hospital’s service capacity, enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services, and address the increasing healthcare needs of the growing population of Vigan City and its neighboring communities.
The inauguration underscores the strong partnership between the Department of Health and the City Government of Vigan in advancing the goals of the Universal Health Care Act. By investing in accessible, integrated, and people-centered primary healthcare services, the government continues to ensure that every Ilokano has better access to timely, quality healthcare—closer to home.
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