Ramon S. Ang’s BUCAS Initiative: Transforming Community Access to Healthcare 

The Philippines is poised to revolutionize its healthcare delivery model with the launch of the Bagong Urgent Care and Ambulatory Services (BUCAS) centers, spearheaded by San Miguel Corporation (SMC) President and CEO Ramon S. Ang. With BUCAS, Ang aims to bring fast, accessible, and efficient healthcare services to the Filipino public—especially underserved communities—at little to no cost.

The BUCAS initiative is part of the "SMC Better World Community Centers" and is closely aligned with the government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program. These centers function like mini-hospitals, offering urgent and primary care, outpatient consultations, laboratory services, diagnostics, imaging, and minor surgical procedures—without the need for hospital admission.

The first BUCAS center, located in Cabuyao, Laguna, opened its doors in 2024 and has since served thousands of patients from low-income families. The facility provides PhilHealth Konsulta services, reducing the cost of outpatient care and bringing quality medical services closer to home.

What Makes BUCAS Different?

Unlike traditional hospitals, BUCAS centers emphasize fast-track medical intervention and preventive care. Patients with non-life-threatening conditions can be treated promptly, which relieves pressure on emergency departments and reduces hospital congestion. This model supports more efficient healthcare utilization and better patient outcomes.

BUCAS centers are staffed with licensed physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, equipped with modern medical tools and diagnostics, and are PhilHealth-accredited to maximize affordability and coverage.

Ramon S. Ang has made it clear that this is only the beginning. He envisions BUCAS as a nationwide network of community-based care centers that will complement hospitals and bring medical services right to the doorstep of ordinary Filipinos.

“Our goal is simple—make basic and urgent healthcare accessible and efficient for every Filipino,” Ang said. “We want to help unburden our public hospitals and provide a better experience for patients.”

With the DOH eyeing public-private partnerships to scale access and improve outcomes, the BUCAS model stands out as a replicable, sustainable framework for other regions in the country.

Contribution to Healthcare

• Ramon S. Ang, through San Miguel Corporation, is delivering free-to-low-cost urgent and ambulatory care services to Filipinos through BUCAS.

• BUCAS centers address long-standing gaps in outpatient and emergency care infrastructure.

• They support the PhilHealth Konsulta Package, ensuring financial protection and access.

• They contribute to the decongestion of tertiary hospitals and better continuity of care at the community level.