Cayetano renews call for 24/7 barangay health clinics nationwide

As online discussions continue to push for 24/7 access to basic healthcare, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano reiterated the need to strengthen primary health services by bringing medical care closer to Filipino communities.

This follows ongoing online public discussions calling for the establishment of 24/7 health clinics in every barangay, with many Filipinos underscoring the importance of having medical services available at any time, especially for emergencies.

“What if every barangay had a 24/7 Health Clinic? Imagine a barangay where basic care is always open — day or night. Would early treatment stop small illnesses from becoming emergencies? Would hospitals finally decongest and focus on serious cases?” one netizen said in a post that has been shared more than 4,000 times on social media.

The concerns are consistent with the policy thrust of Cayetano’s proposed Health Centers in All Barangays Act (Senate Bill No. 421), which seeks to mandate the establishment of fully equipped primary healthcare centers in every barangay nationwide.

Under the measure, each barangay health center will provide essential primary care services such as consultations, basic treatment, preventive care, and health monitoring, supported by adequate medical personnel, local government funding, and technical guidance from the Department of Health (DOH).

The proposal also strengthens the role of barangay health workers and allows health personnel to conduct home visits for patients who require monitoring but have difficulty traveling.

Complementing this measure is Cayetano’s proposed Super Health Centers in All Cities and Municipalities Act (Senate Bill No. 420), a refiled priority bill in the 20th Congress that seeks to strengthen accessible primary health care system by bringing essential health services closer to communities.

It requires every city and municipality to establish at least one Super Health Center within its area. These centers will serve individuals needing outpatient care or suffering from low-risk and uncomplicated medical conditions.

Operating on a 24/7 basis, Super Health Centers are envisioned to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances to urban hospitals,while helping decongest higher-level medical facilities by addressing primary and preventive health needs at the local level.

“I haven’t seen a shift or a game-changer in the way we look at our health system… All Filipinos deserve the best social services. That starts with having access to health care that is both immediate and within reach,” Cayetano said.

Another netizen pointed out that making such clinics effective requires coordination beyond infrastructure alone. “This is a good idea. But in the larger scheme of things, it needs a cooperative spirit from the community/barangay, the LGU, and the national government, for the proper planning, set up, and implementation,” the comment read.

Cayetano said it is exactly what his proposed measures seek to institutionalize through clear policy and collaborative mechanisms. He cited the City of Taguig as the model for the proposed bills, showing how city-led health facilities can support community-based care and ease pressure on major hospitals by providing services beyond regular clinic hours.

“Taguig is proof that it works. Kung kaya sa Taguig, we should do it in all our cities and municipalities,” he said.