Malacañang said Thursday that more than 25,000 Filipinos have received medical care from the government’s Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services Centers in Eastern Visayas.
The BUCAS Centers are part of the Marcos administration’s push to expand access to free outpatient services for patients who need urgent medical attention but do not require hospital admission.
The centers provide free consultations, laboratory tests, X-rays, medicines, and other basic medical services.
At a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said accessible healthcare remains a priority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Castro said three BUCAS Centers are currently operating in Eastern Visayas and have been serving patients from nearby communities.
The centers are managed by the Department of Health through the Eastern Visayas Medical Center and are located in Catarman, Northern Samar, as well as Tolosa and Villaba in Leyte.
“Mula noon hanggang ngayon ay napupuntahan ito ng ating mga kababayan para sa agarang serbisyong medikal na hindi naman kailangang ipasok pa sa ospital,” Castro said.
She said the centers have served 25,070 patients since their implementation.
“Ang top services rendered ay mental health, hypertension management, maternal and child health services,” Castro added.
Castro also cited other government healthcare initiatives, including the Zero Balance Billing program and the expanded benefit packages of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
She said that while the Department of Health is still validating the data, initial reports showed that more than 37,000 patients have so far been served under the Zero Balance Billing program, with total costs reaching around ₱1.49 billion.