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 health services closer to families who used to travel long distances for basic medical care.

In Barangay Udtongan, City of Escalante, Nurse Ruffy J. Gasparillo shared that their barangay health station, manned by dedicated midwives and barangay health workers, provides free consultations, medicines, dental and laboratory services, family planning support, and basic 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, Piat, Cagayan, the impact is deeply felt. Residents no longer have 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 said.

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

Aside from health stations, the SBDP also funds key infrastructure projects such as farm-to-market roads, water supply and sanitation systems, rural electrification, agricultural facilities, housing, and rehabilitation works, all identified by barangay residents through the DILG’s Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) and integrated into their Barangay Development Plans (BDPs).

Both the RCSP and SBDP form part of President Ferdinand R. 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 the services and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-Over-785K-residents-in-620-insurgency-cleared-barangays-benefit-from-completed-SBDP-funded-health-stations/NC-2025-1246