A total of 785,897 residents in 620 insurgency-cleared barangays nationwide are now benefiting from 478 completed barangay health stations funded under the Support to Barangay Development Program (SBDP) from 2021 to 2025, amounting to P1.977 billion, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The DILG emphasized that beyond the figures lies a story of hope and transformation for communities once left behind. These facilities bring basic health services closer to families who previously had to travel long distances for medical care.

In Barangay Udtongan, City of Escalante, Nurse Ruffy J. Gasparillo said their health station, manned by midwives and barangay health workers, now provides free consultations, medicines, dental and laboratory services, family planning support, and first aid.

“Napakahalaga ng barangay health station na ipinatayo sa pamamagitan ng SBDP dito sa Barangay Udtongan sapagkat mas naging accessible po ang pagbibigay ng mga health services sa mga constituents ng aming barangay,” Gasparillo said.

For Punong Barangay Arnold Baingan of Barangay Calaoagan in Piat, Cagayan, the change has been transformative. Residents no longer need to travel nine kilometers to the municipal health unit for medical assistance.

“Naging mas madali, mabilis, at kumportable ang mga tao sa komunidad na nagpapa-konsulta sa aming barangay health station. Dahil regular po ang dating ng mga health workers, nakatakda na rin ang mga schedules ng mga kabarangay, lalo na sa mga may regular check-ups,” Baingan shared.

The DILG reported that 50 more health stations are under construction, eight are in the procurement phase, and 82 are in pre-procurement.

Aside from health facilities, the SBDP funds key infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, water and sanitation systems, electrification, agricultural facilities, and housing — all identified by communities through the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) and integrated into Barangay Development Plans (BDPs).

Both the RCSP and SBDP form part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-nation approach to achieving lasting peace and development, ensuring that every Filipino community — no matter how remote — has access to essential services and opportunities they deserve.