VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — SM Foundation, Inc., in collaboration with SM City Sto. Tomas and the City Government of Santo Tomas, Batangas, officially turned over the City Health Center II – Aksyon Bilis Wellness Hub on November 12, 2026, completing a two-story facility in Brgy. Sta. Clara, transforming a long-await vision into reality and opening new opportunities to better serve the community.
Originally intended as a community health center, construction on the site had stalled, leaving the structure idle while healthcare demands in Sta. Clara and adjacent barangays continued to grow. Recognizing the urgent need to expand local medical access, the City Health Office and the City Mayor’s Office collaborated with SM Foundation to complete the project.
Under its Health and Wellness Program, SM Foundation renovated and outfitted the entire ground floor into a Department of Health (DOH)-compliant primary care facility. Concurrently, the City Government executed exterior work and facade enhancements, establishing a modern, welcoming public health infrastructure.
The facility officially opened its doors on November 12, ready to deliver enhanced medical services as the City Health Center II – Aksyon Bilis Wellness Hub.
The primary care section accommodates essential family healthcare services, including outpatient consultations, minor surgical procedures, emergency treatment, a full-service pharmacy, a diagnostic laboratory, dental care, and digitized medical records management. The facility is fully accessible, featuring inclusive amenities such as PWD-compliant restrooms, gender-neutral facilities, and an emergency eyewash station.
Anchoring the center is the City of Sto. Tomas Maternal and Child Care Center, a Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC)-capable unit designed to support mothers throughout prenatal, delivery, postnatal, and breastfeeding care. The dedicated unit includes a delivery room, labor and recovery suites, prenatal consultation areas, an admission zone, a nurses’ station, a sterilization room, and a comfortable lactation room.
Complementing its clinical areas, the facility integrates sustainable infrastructure, including a rainwater harvesting system and dedicated sanitation/handwashing stations, reinforcing community health alongside environmental sustainability.
The completion of City Health Center II reflects a successful public-private partnership focused on maximizing city assets for public welfare. Through coordinated public investment and corporate social responsibility, an idle structure has been transformed into a vital healthcare facility serving the residents of Sta. Clara and surrounding communities.
Designed to align with the Universal Health Care (UHC) Law, BEmONC standards, and the PhilHealth Konsulta Package, the center advances the city’s Aksyon Bilis healthcare agenda—delivering accessible, efficient, and dependable medical care (kalusugan, mabilis, malapit, at maaasahan) to all residents.
The Aksyon Bilis Wellness Hub is the 234th health and wellness center nationwide by SM Foundation, reinforcing a long-term commitment in uplifting community healthcare and bringing vital medical services closer to those in need.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
