President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is eyeing the establishment of more Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) facilities nationwide to strengthen the government’s efforts to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all Filipinos. 

Marcos made a promise to create more BUCAS facilities during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered at Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday. 

The President underscored the need to bring health services closer to the people, particularly in underserved and remote areas across the country. 

“Asahan ninyo, marami pa ang ating bubuksan na BUCAS,” Marcos said, as he touted the establishment of 53 BUCAS centers within 32 provinces in the country. 

These centers provide free outpatient services to patients who require urgent care but do not necessitate hospitalization. Among the services offered in these centers are free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and X-rays.

These centers provide free outpatient services to patients who require urgent care but do not necessitate hospitalization. Among the services offered in these centers are free medical consultations, laboratory tests, and X-rays.

“At nasisiyahan ako na makapag-report na sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, ang bawat bayan po sa Pilipinas ngayon ay may doktor. Mayroon nang magiging tagapag-alaga ng kalusugan ng mamamayan sa inyong lugar,” President Marcos said.

The establishment of BUCAS centers addresses the long-standing gaps in public healthcare, where many Filipinos are forced to travel great distances to access basic medical services.

With BUCAS centers present in several provinces, Marcos stressed that urgent medical care is just a few steps away for millions of Filipinos.