Bacolod signs agreement with CLMMRH for Bucas Plus Center facilities

Bacolod signs agreement with CLMMRH for Bucas Plus Center facilities

The City of Bacolod is set to welcome a new healthcare facility, the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) Plus Center, which aims to provide free, immediate, and quality medical services for the residents of Bacolod. The center, an extension of the Capiz-Lapu-Lapu-Mandaue Medical and Rehabilitation Hospital (CLMMRH) urgent care and ambulatory services, is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

The signing of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of the BUCAS Plus Center took place on August 12, 2025, led by Mayor Greg Gasataya, Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, CLMMRH Medical Center Chief Dr. Joan Cerrada, Health Undersecretary Mary Ann Maestral, and Department of Health (DOH)-Negros Island Region Director Dr. Razel Nikka Hao.

The facility, to be constructed on city-owned property at the government center in Barangay 14, will offer a wide range of medical services. These include surgical operations for tumors, breast, and cataracts, gynecology and obstetrics services, vaccinations, telemedicine services, specialist clinics, such as HIV/AIDS services, cancer screening, tuberculosis screening and management, consultations for diabetes and hypertension, mental health support, dental care, urgent care, treatment hubs, laboratory tests, and an in-house pharmacy.

The BUCAS Plus Center aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 'Zero Billing' policy, ensuring free services at DOH-managed facilities. Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez initiated the concept for the center, which aims to serve multiple barangays, providing rapid care for non-critical cases while easing the strain on hospitals.

The center is estimated to be completed within nine months, with a budget of approximately ₱50 million allocated by the City. Upon completion, it is expected to increase the availability of free urgent and ambulatory medical care in Bacolod City, reducing the need for patients to travel to distant hospitals for non-life-threatening conditions and providing improved specialist and surgical services locally. Its integration with telemedicine will also enhance access to expert consultations, while the inclusion of HIV/AIDS and other specialized services addresses specific community health needs.

The BUCAS Plus Center is a significant upgrade to Bacolod City's healthcare infrastructure. It will further improve the health services in the city, addressing the overcrowding in CLMMRH's emergency room and offering expanded services, improving timely medical access for its residents. The center will be completed for the benefit of the people of Bacolod, providing a much-needed boost to the city's healthcare system.

1. The government center in Barangay 14 is set to house the new Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Service (BUCAS) Plus Center, a project initiated by Bacolod City Lone District Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
2. The BUCAS Plus Center is set to offer a variety of medical services, including surgical operations, gynecology and obstetrics, vaccinations, telemedicine, specialist clinics, mental health support, dental care, and laboratory tests.
3. The government of Bacolod has allocated a budget of approximately ₱50 million for the construction of the BUCAS Plus Center, which is expected to be completed within nine months.
4. The BUCAS Plus Center aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 'Zero Billing' policy, ensuring free services for the residents of Bacolod.
5. The center aims to ease the strain on hospitals by providing rapid care for non-critical cases, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel to distant hospitals for non-life-threatening conditions.
6. Upon completion, the BUCAS Plus Center is expected to increase the availability of free urgent and ambulatory medical care in Bacolol, ultimately improving the health and wellness of its residents.
7. The integration of telemedicine at the BUCAS Plus Center will enable residents to gain access to expert consultations, thereby enhancing the overall quality of healthcare in the city.
8. The center's inclusion of HIV/AIDS and other specialized services will address specific community health needs, furthering the advancement of medical-conditions care in Bacolod.
9. In the realm of science and technology, the BUCAS Plus Center is poised to revolutionize the medical-conditions landscape in Bacolod, potentially leading to advancements in personal-finance, healthcare, and lifestyle sectors.
10. The opening of the BUCAS Plus Center in Bacolod presents an opportunity for businesses in home-and-garden, technology, and other industries to invest in the city, contributing to its growth and development.
11. With the advent of the BUCAS Plus Center, Bacolod could become a hub for medical tourism, attracting travelers from various regions seeking affordable and quality medical care, thus boosting the local economy and expanding the city's scope in lifestyle, casino-and-gambling, and sports industries.

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