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NEARLY 20 years after Petty Officer 2nd Class Julhasan Arasain made the ultimate sacrifice during Typhoon Reming, his legacy continues not just in memory but in action.
Recently refurbished by SM Foundation as part of its long-standing partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Naval Station Julhasan Arasain Medical and Desntal Dispensary now better supports active duty, reservists, veterans, as well as two neighboring barangays. PHOTO FROM SM
At the Naval Station in Legazpi City, named after Arasain, military medical personnel upheld his standard of selflessness, now within a revitalized facility designed to better serve both the uniformed and civilian populations.
The facility bore the strain of time, with aging infrastructure, limited space, and outdated systems that hampered its full potential.
Amid this, Lieutenant Colonel Kristine Abegail Cayco-Reyes, Commanding Officer of the Naval Station Julhasan Arasain (NSJA) – Dental Service and Captain Monica Anne Yap, Commanding Officer of the NSJA-MD, persevered with other medical officers of the Philippine Navy.
They are tasked with serving more than 500 active and reserve Navy personnel, veterans, and their families. They also serve the growing communities of Barangays Rawis and Bogtong — home to roughly 15,000 residents.
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Cayco-Reyes shared that Bicol is prone to typhoons and experiences long rainy seasons, which, over time, have led to the persistent roof leaks, rusting, and other weather-related damage to the dispensary.
MEDICAL CARE The newly inaugurated Naval Station Julhasan Arasain Dental Dispensary boasts a spacious layout with capacity for three dental chairs and fixed roof, enhancing both sanitation standards and uninterrupted clinic operations. PHOTO FROM SM
These operational challenges not only affected efficiency but, more critically, posed a challenge to ensure patient safety and comfort.
She also observed that oral health often takes a back seat in the
barangays they serve.
"When it comes to dental care, it's often neglected. People will prioritize buying rice over seeing a dentist. It has almost become part of the culture — if there's no pain, there's no need to get checked."
Through its Wellness Center Program, SM Foundation improved the interior of the dispensary, creating a more functional layout that aligns with modern medical workflows. The dental wing was expanded to include dedicated space for storage, and radiography and prosthodontic sections.
The former ambulance bay is now a bright, welcoming waiting area, designed for patient comfort and a calming, healing environment.
CALMING ENVIRONMENT The former ambulance bay now serves as a bright and welcoming waiting area—designed to prioritize patient comfort and foster a calming, healing environment. PHOTO FROM SM
Beyond aesthetics and equipment, the renovation tackled fundamental infrastructure challenges. Upgraded plumbing, power systems, and storage spaces now support the clinic's ability to maintain sanitation and operational continuity.
"When you see a clean and well-maintained space, you immediately feel confident that the environment is safe for treatment. Patients feel more comfortable getting checked up because they don't have to worry about sanitation. Even for minor procedures — like stitches or simple operations — the area really needs to be clean and sterile," Yap said.
The dispensary's upgraded environment also positions it closer to accreditation from the Department of Health and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. Once achieved, this would enable them to expand their services. Supporting this, the foundation also rolled out the SM DigiKonsulta.
"Health care facilities like this medical and dental dispensary are incredibly valuable to the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Navy," Yap emphasized. "As a naval officer, you know that no matter what happens, someone will be there to help and take care of you. It's a symbol of support that boosts morale and strengthens the resolve of our soldiers."
With a cleaner, brighter, and more inviting space, commanding officers of NSJA-MD hope to shift community attitudes toward preventive health.
"I'm very confident because our new facility is warm and inviting. Especially in dental services, once people see that the environment is welcoming and safe, they'll feel encouraged to come in for regular check-ups. This, in turn, helps promote preventive health," Cayco-Reyes said.
As the dispensary opens its doors once again, Arasain's legacy lives on not just in name but in daily acts of service — renewed now with facilities that reflect the dignity of the mission and the needs of the people it serves.
From the navy personnel it protects to the civilians it welcomes, the renovated dispensary shows that health care, delivered with compassion and excellence, is one of the highest forms of public service.
WELCOMING SPACES The clean and well-thought-out spaces build confidence in the safety of the treatment environment, helping patients feel more at ease. PHOTO FROM SM
