ANGONO, Rizal – THREE more government health facilities were renovated under the Uniqlo-SMFI partnership.

To date, 13 health facilities have been renovated by the collaborative efforts of SM’s social arm, SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), and Uniqlo, a casual wear designer, manufacturer and retailer that is a subsidiary of Fast Retailing Co. Ltd.

The three health facilities are located in Rizal – one in Taytay, known as the Garments Capital of the Philippines, and two in Angono, the Art Capital of the Philippines and birthplace of two National Artists, Carlos “Botong” Francisco and Lucio San Pedro.

These community-based health facilities provide basic health services, maternal and child health care, immunization, vaccination for senior citizens, family planning, first aid and follow-up treatment to communicable diseases like tuberculosis, one of the top 10 leading causes of mortality in the Philippines.

The Barangay Health Centers are venues for the government’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

Renovated were the patients’ waiting lounge, reception area, consultation & treatment room, first aid station, dental room, recovery room, conference room, breastfeeding room and comfort rooms.

SM Foundation and Uniqlo also provided mobile play cabinets for children, medicine storage cabinets, basic medical equipment, and furniture and appliance necessary for the health centers to dispense health services better and strengthen their capacity in order to provide more services for the communities.

Also donated were Emergency Go Kits+ which the health centers can utilize during health emergencies and disasters. With the kits, health centers can now participate in the government’s coordinated response to save lives.

The inauguration and turnover of the health centers was held last November 29.

The 11th Uniqlo-SMFI renovated health facility is the one-storey, 100-sq.m. Abnai Barangay Health Station located in Barangay Sta. Ana, one of the five barangays in Taytay. Among those present during the turnover was Taytay Mayor Allan Martine De Leon.

The San Roque Barangay Health Station located in Angono, Rizal, is a one-storey, 90-sq.m. building. Nemi Miranda, a famous painter and sculptor from Angono who is known for his “imaginative figurism” art form, donated paintings that now adorn the walls of the health center’s lobby. It adds to the cheerful atmosphere of the refurbished center.

The 13th Uniqlo-SMFI renovated health facility is the Angono RHU II located in Mahabang Parang, one of Angono’s 10 barangays. It is a two-storey, 250-sq.m. building. Angono Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon attended the inauguration of both health facilities in the municipality.

SM Foundation was represented by Executive Director for Health and Wellness Connie Angeles, who in her brief remarks underscored the importance of health centers in helping decongest hospitals.

She said SM Foundation and Uniqlo are committed to continue working to advance the social good through renovating and improving the health facilities.

“Rest assured that Uniqlo and SM Foundation will always be available to provide a strong medical infrastructure and share best practices, to get the best medical service and the quality of life you rightfully deserve,” Angeles added.