It started with timely visits from SM Foundation’s Health and Wellness Program Executive Director Connie Angeles.
“I get invited to many military functions,” Angeles said, “My husband is a retired colonel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), while my son-in-law and his father are with the Air Force.”
In many of these events, she came to realize the urgent need to help in rehabilitating and refurbishing the medical and health facilities of the nation’s unformed personnel.
“Nandito sila, pinagtatanggol ang ating bayan [They are here, protecting our country]. They deserve better hospitals,” Angeles said.
AFP
Since 2010, SM Foundation has upgraded some 31 military health facilities, beginning with the AFP V. Luna Medical Center in Quezon City.
Upgrading meant the construction of a reception area, a medication room, a counseling and vocational evaluation room, a testing room, nurses station, a livelihood training and activity area, and a convalescence ward.
Other AFP health facilities improved by SM Foundation are the Air Force General Hospital, Basa Airbase Station Hospital, Navsog Sick Bay of the Philippine Navy, Air Force City Hospital in Clark Airbase, Camp Nakar Station Hospital, Fort Del Pilar Station Hospital of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio, Camp Aquino Station Hospital in Tarlac City, Naval Station Leovogildo Gantioqui Hospital in Zambales, Camp Tecson Scout Ranger Army Hospital in Bulacan, Camp Panacan Station Hospital in Davao City, Cavite Naval Hospital, Camp Evangelista Station Hospital in Cagayan de Oro, Camp General Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital in Palawan, Marine Baracks Medical Dispensary in Cavite, Naval Air Group (NAG) Aeromedical Dispensary (also in Cavite), Army General Hospital in Taguig City, and the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City.
PNP
As of June 2016, the SM Foundation has inaugurated four PNP health facilities which it has renovated and rehabilitated into Felicidad Sy Wellness Centers. These include the Police Ward and Out-patient department of the Police National Training Institute in Canlubang, Laguna; the dispensary of the Special Action Force (SAF) training branch in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; and Phase 1 and Phase 2 Cadet Wards of the Philippine National Police Dispensary in Silang, Cavite.
The renovated dispensaries are equipped with a reception area, lounge, waiting area for patients, physical examination room, physical therapy room, pharmacy, records and supply room, medication room, medical chief’s room, emergency room, toilets and utility rooms, and a gender-responsive Cadets Ward for male and female personnel.
The PNPA health service dispensary supports the healthcare needs of some 1,000 PNPA residents and personnel, including civilians from surrounding barangays in Silang, Cavite.
