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.