Laoag reopens refurbished RHU III

Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and SM Foundation Inc. executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles lead the reopening of RHU III Primary Care Facility and Birthing Home. They are joined with DOH development management officer Jay-R Cacao, city heath officer Dr. Rodrigo Catcatan, SM stall manager Maria Christina Sebastian, Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, and Laoag councilors Donald Nicolas, Bjorn Lao and Kiko Ang. (Doms Dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter

Laoag City—The Laoag City government has reopened the refurbished rural health unit (RHU) III on November 6. 2025.

SM Foundation refurbished the RHU as part of its mission to strengthen communities through accessible healthcare.

Laoag Mayor James Bryan Alcid and SM Foundation Inc. executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles led the formal reopening of the RHU III Primary Care Facility and Birthing Home. Joining there were Department of Health development management officer Jay-R Cacao, city heath officer Dr. Rodrigo Catcatan, SM stall manager Maria Christina Sebastian, Laoag Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas, and Laoag councilors Donald Nicolas, Bjorn Lao, and Kiko Ang.

The DOH turned over the said facility to the city government m 2018.

Cacao disclosed that DOH has allocated PHP1 million for the repair of the said RHU after a series  of natural  calamities damaged the facility.

“Pero ngayong araw, aming pasasalamat at buong pusong hinahatid po sa mga bagong bayani ng kalusugan, walang iba kundi ang SM Foundation na nagpapakita ng tunay na malasakit po para sa bayan at isang halimbawa ng pagkakaisa at pagtulong,” Cacao said.

The Ilocos Times learned that the SM Foundation voluntarily shouldered the RHU’s full renovation and refurbishment.

With this, Cacao said the DOH’s next mission is to convert RHU III as a fully licensed primary care facility (PCF) with the guarantee of having a complete and quality equipment and services, certified health workers and accredited by PhilHealth aligned with DOH standards.

 Angeles, for her part, said Laoag RHU III is now number 244 among health centers across the country that has benefited from the SM Foundation Health Center Improvement Program.

She hopes that the new health care facility in the city will become accessible to more than 35,000 residents near it as SM Foundation’s objective is to care for the communities bringing not only stores and services but also programs that promote health well-being and hope.

Angeles thanked the city government headed by Alcid for this very “momentous opportunity”, other partners and health workers for their full dedication and compassion especially to the people of Laoag as expressed hopes that the health facility “will be a continuing partner in wellness and a bacon of care for generations to come”.

In addition, Angeles promised to welcome requests from the city government of Laoag for the maintenance of the existing health care facilities in the city.

“Kung meron po kayo nakikitang mga kailangang palitan, pintahan o lagyan ng mga bagay na medyo nasisira na ay ipaparating niyo lang sa amin kung ano iyong mga kailangan as an early Christmas gift from the Sy family na laging nagsasabi na ang SM, we will always be here for you,” Angeles noted.

Alcid thanked the SM Foundation for “bringing another gift for the people of Laoag now on health care program,” which he said is among his administration’s priority projects.

 He added that the  said RHU is crucial in addressing the unique healthcare challenges faced by the rural populace including limited access to healthcare facilities, shortage of healthcare professionals and higher prevalence of health disparities.

With this newly reopened facility, Alcid stressed that this is truly the direction of the city government to allocate more funds for health care facilities and more medicines.

“Namnamaen yo nga du pay iti proyekto tayo nga umay ket dawatek iti kooperasyon tayo tapnu alisto iti pinag-progreso tayo amin,” he said.

Fariñas also thanked the SM Foundation for the said project for the city aside from earlier granting free movie passes to senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and the donation of school building at Buttong Integrated School.

Relative to this, the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Laoag earlier passed a resolution granting authority to Alcid to sign a deed of donation, for and on behalf of the city government of Laoag with the SM Foundation Inc., represented by its executive director, Debbie P. Sy, thereby accepting various items and equipment, for the refurbishment of RHU III of the city of Laoag.

The SM Foundation Inc. (SM) is engaged in charitable work, which include, among others, providing wellness centers such as the “Sentrong Musmos”, hospice care unit, mobile clinic laboratory services, and providing medical-dental missions to selected government hospitals and other institutions nationwide, under its health and medical program.

The said resolution was handed to  Angeles during the event.