Upgraded dispensary relives heroism of rescuer

The naval officer who saved many lives from a mudflow triggered by Typhoon “Reming” in 2006 but lost his life in doing so is being remembered through the Philippine Navy dispensary in Legazpi City, Albay that was named after him.

The Naval Station Julhasan Arasain Medical and Dental Dispensary (NSJA) in Barangay Rawis relives the heroism and sacrifice of the late Petty Officer 2nd Class in the form of quality healthcare to military personnel and residents of Barangays Rawis and Bogtong.

This legacy of selflessness by Arasain has been beneficial throughout the years but with the aging structure, limited space and outdated systems of the facility limiting its full potential, it was time for an upgrade.

The NSJA is now expected to better serve more than 500 active and reserve Navy personnel, veterans and their families plus the roughly 15,000 residents of Rawis and Bogtong.

LTC Kristine Abegail Cayco-Reyes DS, commander of the NSJA-DS and CPT Monica Anne Yap MC, commanding officer of the NSJA-MD, together with other medical officers of the Philippine Navy, had persevered in attending to patients with leaking roofs caused by the elements.

“Bicol gets hit by a lot of typhoons. When it rains, roof leaks become an issue. Additionally, if you’re in the middle of a surgery and the power suddenly fluctuates, the treatment has to stop. A five-minute procedure ends up taking much longer,” Dr. Cayco-Reyes shared.

The challenges are now a thing of the past after the SM Foundation Inc. rehabilitated the facility to ensure patient safety and comfort.

Under the foundation’s Wellness Center Program, the NSJA’s interior layout was made more functional and aligned with modern medical workflows.

The facility’s dental wing was expanded to include dedicated space for storage, and radiography and prosthodontic sections.

The former ambulance bay is now a bright, welcoming waiting area — designed for patient comfort and a calming, healing environment.

With upgraded plumbing, power systems and storage spaces, the clinic maintains sanitation and operational continuity.

“When you see a clean and well-maintained space, you immediately feel confident that the environment is safe for treatment. Patients feel more comfortable getting checked up because they don’t have to worry about sanitation. Even for minor procedures — like stitches or simple operations — the area really needs to be clean and sterile,” Dr. Yap said.

“Healthcare facilities like this medical and dental dispensary are incredibly valuable to the members of the AFP and Navy,” Yap added. “As a naval officer, you know that no matter what happens, someone will be there to help and take care of you. It’s a symbol of support that boosts morale and strengthens the resolve of our soldiers.”

With a cleaner, brighter, and more inviting space, commanding officers of NSJA dispensary hope to shift community attitudes toward preventive health.

“I’m very confident because our new facility is warm and inviting.Especially in dental services, once people see that the environment is welcoming and safe, they’ll feel encouraged to come in for regular check-ups. This, in turn, helps promote preventive health,” Dr. Cayco-Reyes said.

She observed that oral health often takes a back seat in the barangays they serve.

“When it comes to dental care, it’s often neglected. People will prioritize buying rice over seeing a dentist. It has almost become part of the culture — if there’s no pain, there’s no need to get checked,” she said.

The dispensary’s upgraded environment also positions it closer to accreditation from the Department of Health and PhilHealth. Once achieved, this would enable them to expand their services. Supporting this, the SM Foundation also rolled out the SM DigiKonsulta.

As the dispensary opens its doors once again, Arasain’s legacy lives on not just in name, but in daily acts of service — renewed now with facilities that reflect the dignity of the mission and the needs of the people it serves.

From the Navy personnel it protects to the civilians it welcomes, the renovated dispensary shows that healthcare, delivered with compassion and excellence, is one of the highest forms of public service.