Pampanga breaks ground on BUCAS multispecialty health center in Sta. Ana

The Provincial Government of Pampanga, the local government unit of Sta. Ana, the Department of Health (DOH), and the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) on 23 December broke ground for the one-storey JBLMGH Ambulatory Surgical and Multispecialty Center (JASMC) BUCAS Facility in Barangay San Bartolome, Sta. Ana, Pampanga.

The project aims to bring accessible, specialized healthcare services closer to residents of Sta. Ana and nearby towns.

Present at the groundbreaking ceremony were Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pampanga, and Office of the Vice Governor Chief of Staff Angelina Blanco.

Blanco expressed gratitude to partner agencies, citing the provincial government’s commitment to improving healthcare access in the province.

“Ako po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat, sa ngalan nina Governor Nanay at Vice Governor Delta, sa DOH at JBL sa kanilang patuloy na suporta sa lalawigan, lalo na sa adbokasiya ng pamahalaang panlalawigan na mailapit at maipagkaloob ang dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga Kapampangan,” Blanco said.

She also highlighted the P15-million financial assistance from the provincial government for the development of the 1.2-hectare property donated by the family of Sta. Ana Mayor Dinan Lubang, where the JBLMGH extension will rise.

Lubang said the project is a long-standing aspiration of the community.

“Ako man po ay hindi likas na taga-Sta. Ana, ngunit naramdaman ko ang pagmamahal at pagtanggap ng mga taga-Sta. Ana sa akin. Kaya gagawin ko po ang lahat upang hindi magsisi ang ating mga kababayan sa tiwalang ibinigay nila. Matagal na po naming pangarap ito, at ngayon ay unti-unti na itong nabibigyang ng katuparan,” Lubang said.

Records show that the DOH allocated P34,999,998.71 for the construction of the BUCAS Facility.

DOH–MMCHD Regional Director Dr. Corazon Flores said the facility will significantly benefit residents by expanding access to medical services.

“At kung kinakailangan ng mas mataas na antas ng gamutan, maaari silang mailipat sa mas angkop na pasilidad,” Flores added.

This marks the second BUCAS Facility in Pampanga. The first, which opened last year in Sto. Tomas, was cited as the country’s first BUCAS Facility.