SM Foundation, UNIQLO renovate community health facilities in Bicol

By Zyra Ponce

SM Foundation, Inc. (SMF) in partnership with UNIQLO Philippines renovated two community health facilities in Bicol, namely, San Roque Health Station in Barangay San Roque Heights in Bula, Camarines Sur and Bolo Health Center in Barangay Bolo, Legazpi City in Albay.

The ceremonial turnover of the newly renovated San Roque Health Station was held on March 2, 2022 and was attended by SM Senior AVP for South Luzon Engr. Jason Terrenal, SM South 5 Operations Manager Niko Alvarez, SM City Naga Assistant Mall Manager Vincent Señora, Reiny Vergara, head of PR and Sustainability UNIQLO Philippines, Bula Vice Mayor Nilo Malanyaon, and Barangay Captain Albino Nuñez. Moreover, SMF and UNIQLO also inaugurated the recently upgraded Bolo Health Center in Legazpi City on March 3, 2022.

Now ready to provide quality healthcare services, the health facilities boast the following improvements: patients’ waiting lounge; reception area; outpatient department; male and female wards; pharmacy; emergency room; treatment area; birthing facility; mobile play cabinet for children; and a laboratory, among others. Each health center is stocked with basic medical equipment.

“We need to provide our stakeholders, especially those living in marginalized communities with quality and accessible health care through various social good programs focusing on health and wellness—which will, in turn, allow families to have better healthcare outcomes,” Connie Angeles, SMF executive director for health and medical programs.

“It has been UNIQLO’s mission to develop ways to make the society better,” Nakamura Masayoshi, UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer, said.

“UNIQLO is grateful and honored to play a role in improving the health infrastructure in the country,” he added.

Through our partnership efforts with SM, we hope to uplift the lives of Filipinos and ensure that everyone has access to primary medical care. UNIQLO and SMFI have renovated and turned over five more health and wellness centers in various regions, Masayoshi said.

The five centers include: Montalban Infirmary Hospital in Rodriguez, Rizal; Barangka City Health Center in Marikina City; District 2 Health Center in Cauayan, Isabela; Barangay Ugac Sur Health Center; and Brgy. Bagay Health Center in Tuguegarao.

The seven clinics and health centers are just a fraction of the more than 170 health facilities that SMI have renovated over the years under its Health and Medical programs.