THE Department of Health (DOH) Ilocos Center for Health Development marked another milestone in its commitment to public service excellence with the blessing and inauguration of the Phase I Multipurpose Building, a five-storey facility envisioned to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen workforce development, and provide a conducive space for collaboration and innovation among health professionals located at Brgy Parian, San Fernando City, La Union.
The inauguration ceremony was led by DOH Undersecretary Glenn Mathew P. Baggao and Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco, along with partners and employees, symbolizing not only the completion of a physical structure but also the agency’s continuing investment in the people who serve as the backbone of healthcare delivery in the Ilocos Region.
Usec. Baggao lauded the initiative as a strategic investment in excellence, efficiency, and future of public health in the Ilocos Region.
“Infrastructure is not merely about concrete and steel—it is about creating opportunities for people to work better, serve better, and deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve,” Baggao stated.
“As we continue to advance Universal Health Care, we must ensure that our healthcare workforce is equipped, supported, and inspired. Facilities such as this demonstrate our commitment to nurturing a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. When we invest in our health workers, we ultimately invest in the health and well-being of every Filipino,” he added.
The new multipurpose building is expected to support a wide range of functions, including trainings, conferences, capacity-building activities, emergency response coordination, and employee development programs—further enabling the agency to carry out its mandate of promoting and protecting the health of every Filipino.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco described the facility as a testament to the agency’s commitment to its workforce and its vision of building stronger institutions to deliver better health outcomes.
“Today, we celebrate more than the opening of a building—we celebrate our investment in people. This facility stands as a symbol of our unwavering commitment to empower our health workers, strengthen collaboration, and create an environment where innovation, learning, and public service can thrive,” she emphasized.
She added that the facility reflects the agency’s recognition that strong health systems are built not only through programs and policies but also through investments in the welfare and development of healthcare workers.
“Every achievement in public health begins with dedicated people. By providing our workforce with better spaces to learn, plan, collaborate, and serve, we are strengthening the very foundation of healthcare delivery in the region. This building represents our vision of a future-ready health organization capable of responding to the evolving needs of our communities,” she added.
The blessing and inauguration of the Phase I Multipurpose Building marks the beginning of a broader vision to enhance the capabilities of DOH Ilocos further and provide modern facilities that support both employee welfare and organizational excellence. It was funded under the 2024 DOH Health Facility Enhancement Program with an allocation of P100M.
As the agency continues to strengthen health systems across Region I, the new facility stands as a lasting symbol of service, commitment, and the shared mission of building a healthier, more resilient, and more empowered future for all.
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