President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. wants Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) centers to be open daily and round-the-clock to provide immediate medical and health care services.

The President emphasized that illness does not choose a specific time.

“At ‘yan nais nating maging twenty-four hours, seven days a week itong bukas dahil ang sakit, eh wala namang pinipiling oras,” President Marcos said during the inauguration of the Region 1 Medical Center Cancer Institute in Dagupan City.

“Nais din nating dumami pa ito para mas maraming mabigyan ng dekalidad na serbisyong pangkalusugan,” the President added.

Three BUCAS centers are in the Ilocos region, with one operating in Dagupan City.

Established to address Filipinos’ ambulatory medical and surgical care needs, BUCAS centers offer minor surgeries, adult and pediatric immunizations, and dental services, among others.

Since its launch a year ago, BUCAS centers have provided medical and health care services to an estimated 800,000 Filipinos, including those from far-flung areas.

The creation of BUCAS centers was inspired by the “LAB For All” project of First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos, which was intended to provide medical and health care services for the marginalized sector, according to Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa. | PND