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Vulnerable residents and clients of the Centers and Residential Care Facilities of DSWD Field Office 7 will gain access to free healthcare services at the Saint Anthony Mother and Child Hospital (SAMCH).

(From right) Dr. Jera C. Armendarez, Center Head of Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II; Aileen G. Cuevas, Regional Center Coordinator of DSWD 7; Norman P. Jordan, Chief Administrative Officer of SAMCH; Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, Regional Director of DSWD 7; Dr. Benjamin B. Balaoro, Medical Officer and Head of the Public Health Unit at SAMCH; Jenifer S. Abastillas, Center Head of Home for Girls; and Evaine Gladys L. Manzano, Center Head of Regional Haven for Women during the signing ceremony.

An agreement was officially signed on February 27, 2025, between the two institutions, formalizing a partnership that will provide free, quality healthcare services to the clients and residents of the Reception and Study Center for Children, Home for Girls, Regional Haven for Women, and Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II in Brgy. Labangon, Cebu City.

SAMCH will offer free healthcare services, including regular pediatric and obstetric-gynecological consultations, vaccinations, screening tests, and preventive healthcare programs. These provisions will be on regular medical missions inside the facilities of DSWD.

Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero emphasized that this partnership will benefit vulnerable groups such as Persons with Disabilities, abused and exploited women and girls, and abandoned or neglected children.

She mentioned that while DSWD provides comprehensive interventions to its clients and residents, healthcare is not part of the Department’s core mandate.

“We are grateful that SAMCH reached out to us for this partnership. Healthcare is a service we cannot provide ourselves for those who come in contact with our facilities. Hence, we thank them for this gesture,” Lucero explained.

Representing SAMCH Medical Center Chief IV Dr. Juanito T. Tiu, Medical Officer and Public Health Unit Head Dr. Benjamin B. Balaoro, highlighted that the partnership aligns with the Philippine government’s efforts to implement the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, particularly its preventive aspect.

“This community engagement program is a significant step toward reaching more vulnerable sectors in the society. When we identified this opportunity, we immediately proposed bringing healthcare services to the residents of DSWD-run facilities,” Dr. Balaoro said.

With the thrust of UHC, SAMCH believes that by providing preventive medical programs like consultations and vaccinations, health issues can be detected or prevented from developing into more serious conductions, potentially reducing the need for hospitalization.

The MOA signing was led by Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero, CESO III, Medical Officer Dr. Benjamin B. Balaoro, and Chief Administrative Officer Norman P. Jordan, DSWD and SAMCH staff, along with residents and clients of the CRCFs, witnessed the signing ceremony. ###

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