DANAO CITY, Cebu, September 30, 2026 — Families in Barangay Lawaan and nearby upland communities will have closer access to health and maternal care with the turnover and blessing of the Barangay Lawaan Health Station and Birthing Center, developed through a partnership between the City Government of Danao and SM Foundation.
The newly refurbished two-storey facility occupies a government-owned building formerly used as a multi-purpose building. SM Foundation then refurbished the existing building and provided facilities, furniture, and essential medical equipment to prepare it for patient care.
Developed under SM Foundation’s Felicidad T. Sy Wellness Center Program, the facility was built in accordance with Department of Health and PhilHealth accreditation standards and brings primary healthcare and maternal services together under one roof.
The ground floor houses the birthing facility, including an admission area, prenatal consultation room, nurses’ and midwives’ station, labor and recovery room, delivery room, sterilization and scrub room, breastfeeding room, and accessible toilets.
The second floor houses the health station, with a waiting lounge and mobile play area for children, consultation and treatment rooms, pharmacy, and dental clinic.
For upland families, the value of the facility lies in access—a nearby place to seek primary healthcare, maternal services, medical consultations, and dental care without having to travel to lower barangays or Barangay Poblacion for services that can now be provided closer to their communities.
The facility is expected to serve residents from 11 upland barangays—Lawaan, Sacsac, Ogis, Langosig, Santican, Pili, Cambubho, Magtagobtob, Bayabas, Danasan, and Dungga.
The City Government, through the City Health Services Office (CHSO), will provide the manpower needed to operate the facility. Based on the CHSO’s initial service plan, the birthing center will operate daily with midwives on duty, while in-person medical consultations with doctors are planned every Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dental services, including tooth extraction, oral prophylaxis or cleaning, pit and fissure sealant, fluoride application, and permanent filling for children 12 years old and below, are also planned.
The facility will also integrate SM DigiKonsulta, a telemedicine and health digitalization initiative that will provide another means for patients to access medical consultations. During the program, SM Foundation turned over laptops for the initiative to support the facility’s telemedicine and digital health services.
As the facility is newly turned over, the CHSO is still finalizing the complete service arrangements and implementation schedule. The City Government will announce the final schedule and start of services once these are confirmed.
During the turnover, Vice Mayor Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano described the new facility as a reflection of the City Government’s shared commitment to making healthcare more accessible to communities.
Meanwhile, SM Foundation Executive Director for Health and Medical Programs Connie Angeles thanked the city and barangay officials for opening the former multi-purpose building to the partnership, allowing it to be transformed into a health station and birthing center that will serve families in Lawaan and neighboring communities.
Mayor Ramon “Nito” Durano III thanked SM Foundation for its support in renovating and refurbishing the facility and emphasized the City Government’s commitment to ensuring its responsible use and maintenance.
He stressed that improving access to healthcare remains one of the priorities under the administration’s 5-Point Connectivity Agenda, as the City Government continues to bring free and quality health services closer to communities.
For Mayor Nito, the partnership also demonstrates how the Connectivity Agenda opens opportunities for institutions to work together for the community.
“The 5-Point Connectivity Agenda has enabled us to open doors for cooperation and collaboration. Karong adlawa maoy usa sa mga pamatuod nga ang kalambuan nagkinahanglan ug panagtambayayong, nagkinahanglan sa atong pagdayung,” he said.
As Danao City’s health programs expand, the City Government is also strengthening its health workforce to support the growing demand for services. Additional personnel are intended to help ensure that expanded facilities and programs are matched by the people needed to deliver care.
Danao City currently has 33 health centers and 19 birthing centers, along with four private lying-in facilities, one public hospital, and one private hospital. The Lawaan facility adds to the city’s network of community health services and its broader goal of making Danao a Gateway of Opportunities—including the opportunity for families, wherever they live, to access timely healthcare.
The center also complements the city’s existing health services, including the Dayung Community Mobile Clinic and emergency mobile stations strategically placed in upland barangays. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen the connection between community-based care, emergency response, and higher-level medical services when patients need them.
The turnover and blessing gathered Dayung leaders, DAUSA volunteers, city officials and employees, barangay captains from upland barangays, healthcare workers, residents, and representatives from SM Foundation.
The ceremony included the ribbon cutting, installation of the facility marker, blessing and tour of the facility, and signing of the Deed of Donation. The City Government also presented plaque of appreciation to SM Foundation, Inc. for its contribution to the project.
The Lawaan Health Station and Birthing Center demonstrates how connection can lead to collaboration and concrete services. With more collaborations expected to come, the City Government remains open to partnerships that bring together people, resources, and opportunities for the Pamilya’ng Danawanon, HERE AND NOW.
