For BDO Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of BDO Unibank, health is wealth. Which is why it continues to pursue one of its main programs: the improvement of health centers all over the country.

The latest rural health units renovated by the foundation are located in the province of Isabela–one in the municipality of Roxas and another in the City of Ilagan, the largest city in Luzon. BDO Foundation recently completed the rehabilitation of Rural Health Unit and Roxas Birthing Clinic, and City Health Office I Ilagan City.

The corporate citizenship initiative is part of the foundation’s ongoing efforts to help improve the healthcare delivery system in the Philippines, particularly in disaster-stricken areas. The province of Isabela was placed under a state of calamity in 2016 when it was hit by Super Typhoon Lawin.

The project is aimed at making the health centers more responsive to the needs of the people, especially the underprivileged. The improvement of primary healthcare facilities empowers community doctors, nurses and midwives to deliver services more efficiently. The two health centers are now better equipped to provide patient care.

Combined, the rehabilitated health centers in Roxas and Ilagan serve a total of more than 208,000 people from 61 barangays.

Led by their local government officials, health workers came out in full force to welcome the unveiling of their spruced up health centers. The blessing and inauguration of the rehabilitated facilities were attended by Roxas mayor Jonathan Jose Calderon, Roxas vice mayor Nick Sebastian, Ilagan vice mayor Vedasto Villanueva and Ilagan councilor Jay Eveson Diaz.

The rehabilitated structures were turned over to local government officials in events led by BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito and BDO Foundation program director Rose Espinosa. They were joined by BDO North Eastern Luzon area head Rene Gongora, BDO Isabela-Roxas branch head Silvino Ballad and BDO Isabela-Ilagan branch head Jonathan Soriano. Branch managers are instrumental in the foundation’s rehabilitation program as they help identify health centers that need support.