Improving health outcomes in Mandaluyong City requires more than making medical services accessible — it also means encouraging residents to become more proactive about their health.

Health prioritization was emphasized by Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos and City Health Officer Dr. Arnold Abalos during the recent Share the Alaga health activity organized in partnership with Unilab and Watsons.

Mayor Abalos urged her constituents to take advantage of opportunities to get medical check-ups and health screenings, such as those provided at the activity held at Mandaluyong City College.

“Napaka-importante ng ating kalusugan [Our health is very important],” she said. “Kung hindi tayo malusog, paano natin aalagaan ang ating pamilya? [If we’re not healthy, how could we take care of our family?]”

According to Dr. Abalos, one of the biggest challenges faced by the City Health Office is improving the health-seeking behavior of residents, many of whom delay consultations because they prioritize work over their health.

“Kahit gusto nila[ng magpa-check up], ang priority nila is to earn. Marami sa kanila ay ‘No Work, No Pay,’ kaya hindi sila makapag-absent kahit may iniinda na, (Even if they want to get medical check-ups, they prioritize earning money. A lot of them don’t get paid if they do not report for work, so they keep showing up even when they are already enduring something),” he explained.

Dr. Abalos added that some residents continue to rely on outdated beliefs passed down through generations, while others avoid check-ups because they are afraid of discovering they are sick.

“[Minsan] bababa ka na lang, nadun na lahat. One time I asked, ‘Manong, why don’t you go there and get a check-up?’ He replied, ‘Ayoko, baka malaman ko kung anong sakit ko [Sometimes all they need to do to access medical services is get out of the house. One time I asked, ‘Sir, why don’t you go out there and get a check-up?’ He replied, ‘I don’t want to find out that I am sick.’]”

Dr. Abalos noted that collaborations with private sector partners such as Unilab and Watsons significantly strengthen the city’s health programs by allowing the local government to reach more residents and raise health awareness.

Among the hundreds who benefited from the Share the Alaga activity was Racquelyn Acevedo, who said the free consultation, screenings, medicines, and vitamins were a huge help amid rising living costs.

She added that she is monitoring her health because it is extra challenging to get sick nowadays. “Mas mahirap ang buhay ngayon kumpara noong nakaraang taon. Kapag nagkaka-edad na, kailangang alagaan natin ang sarili natin. Bakit hihintayin mo pang magkasakit kung may solusyon naman [Life is harder nowadays, compared to last year. As we get old, we have to take care of ourselves. Why wait to get sick when you can solve it proactively]?”

By helping communities become more aware of the importance of preventive care and early consultation, Share the Alaga complements broader efforts to improve public health under the government’s Universal Health Care (UHC) program through PhilHealth.

“Share the Alaga is a shared promise between Watsons and Unilab,” said Watsons Health Business Unit Director Cecille Marie Uy. “Today we continue to carry out this promise by bringing essential medicines and medical services closer to communities.”

Unilab Public Relations and Partnerships Head Claire Papa emphasized that collaborations between the public and private sectors play an important role in improving health outcomes.

“Health programs become more meaningful and impactful when the public and private sectors work together. Through collaborations like Share the Alaga, we are able to reach more Filipinos and strengthen their ability to care not only for themselves, but also for their families and communities,” she said.

Unilab and Watsons continue to work closely with local government units, healthcare institutions, and private organizations to support sustainable healthcare initiatives that improve access to medicines, promote preventive healthcare, and encourage stronger health-seeking behaviors among Filipinos.