History of Bayambang's Public Healthcare Institutions

History of Bayambang's Public Healthcare Institutions

Did you know that before there was Rural Heath Unit (RHU) I in the town of Bayambang, there was a Puericulture Center? It used to stand at the PNP station next to RHU I, and it was managed by a private organization under Dr. Santos.

The old Annex Building beside the Municipal Hall used to be the Bayambang Emergency Hospital, which opened on July 16, 1980 during the tenure of Mayor Jaime P. Junio. Dr. Ernesto Mataban was the first director, and Dr. Nicolas Miguel was its first resident physician.

The hospital was transferred to Mataban's donated land in Brgy. Bical Norte on July 1, 1985 and became the Bayambang District Hospital.

The facility vacated at the old Annex Bldg. must have been converted into an RHU after the said transfer. As RHU, it was first headed by Dr. Amado Layog, followed by Dr. Nestor Pascual before Dr. Paz F. Vallo took over in 1993 after she transferred from RHU II.

Presently, starting from the term of Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, the local government of Bayambang has been operating six RHUs from only two before July 2016. Now every Bayambangueño can receive free birthing services, medical check-up, medicine, various vaccines, and other services from these small facilities spread out in various districts. (Dental services are free only for indigent patients.)

RHU I was eventually relocated to the left-most end of the Municipal Hall compound, possibly during Mayor Calixto Camacho's term.

RHU II, located in Brgy. Wawa, was also built during Mayor Calixto Camacho's term. According to old-timers, prior to being established as RHU II, there was already a Wawa Barangay Health Center in place at the same site since 1978 under the Department of Health (DOH). RHU II per se was constructed by the DOH only sometime in 1990, with Dr. Paz Vallo as the first resident doctor. Because of government's devolution policy, its management was eventually transferred to the local government of Bayambang in 1992.

RHU III in Brgy. Carungay opened on April 3, 2018 and was built on a lot donated by Punong Barangay Virgilio Romano's family. It was first headed by Dr. Adrienne Estrada, then by Dr. Roland M. Agbuya in 2020.

RHU IV in Brgy. Macayocayo opened on November 25, 2020 and was built on a lot donated by the Macayocayo Barangay Council under Punong Barangay Mario Cariño.

RHU V in Brgy. Pantol opened on February 2021. It was built using funds donated by 3rd District Congresswoman Rose Marie 'Baby' Arenas.

RHU VI in Brgy. Mangayao was built on a lot donated by Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and opened on February 22, 2023.

Today, RHU I and IV are operated under Dr. Vallo, while RHU II and V are under Dr. Estrada and RHU III and VI are under Dr. Agbuya.

The RHUs' work encompasses a dozen of health programs, namely:

1. Nutrition Program

2. Mental Health Program

3. Non-communicable Disease Prevention and Control Program

4. Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Health

5. Health Education and Promotion

6. Child Health Program

7. Maternal Health and Family Planning Program

8. Rabies Prevention and Control Program

9. National Tuberculosis Control Program

10. Voluntary Blood Service Program

11. Environmental Health and Sanitation Services Program

12. Local Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Program

References:

Dr. Paz F. Vallo

Dr. Nicolas O. Miguel

Dr. Adrienne Estrada

Dr. Roland M. Agbuya