VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — Residents of Santiago, Ilocos Sur now have a new barangay health station with a birthing facility, constructed through the Department of Health (DOH)-Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP).
This program improves public health facilities by building new ones and upgrading existing ones like barangay health stations and rural health units.
The two-story health station, located in Barangay Dan-ar — the largest of Santiago’s 24 barangays — is the first in the municipality to offer a birthing facility.
DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the station will provide basic healthcare services to the community.
“The healthcare services residents may avail themselves of are vaccinations, health education, family planning consultations, treatment for minor illnesses, and referrals to higher-level healthcare hospitals, Sydiongco said.
She added that trained Barangay Health Workers (BHW) will deliver primary care services and remain the frontliners in providing basic health assistance.
The facility’s construction was funded by P2.5-million from the DOH and P3-million from the local government unit (LGU) of Santiago. The 120-square-meter lot where it stands was donated by a resident of Dan-ar.
Annie Tonggol, Punong Barangay of Dan-ar, said when they learned about the HFEP and that the DOH will assist in the construction of a barangay health station, she immediately sought approval to secure a lot.
Tonggol also expressed the significance of the project for their community. With over 2,000 residents, Dan-ar is the largest barangay in Santiago, yet it had no health station before this.
“We are beyond grateful for [the lot] donation and to the DOH and the LGU for their constant support and assistance. Thank you for all the equipment provided to us,” Tonggol said.
With this new facility, Santiago town now has four health units, including the rural health unit in the Poblacion area and health stations in Barangays Sabangan and Caburao.
The DOH also provided P500,000 worth of essential equipment to enhance the station’s services. This includes a medicine cabinet, weighing scales, a nursing kit, an ENT diagnostic set, a portable oxygen tank, and a minor surgical instrument set.
Every health station in Santiago received the same equipment package.
The health station is well-equipped, featuring four beds, a recovery room, three comfort rooms, and three washing areas.
This project is part of the DOH’s efforts to strengthen the country’s health system, ensuring affordable, quality care and specialized treatments for all Filipinos. (CCMT/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
