To promote health and wellness in the workplace, the Department of Agriculture (DA) inaugurated its new medical and dental clinics located at the Ground Floor, Old Building, DA Central Office, as part of the Department’s “SaGAD Alaga ang Kalusugan ng mga Kawani ng Kagawaran ng Pagsasaka” (also known as SaGAD Alaga) program, which aims to create a gender-sensitive healthcare facility that addresses the needs of its employees and provides readily accessible medical assistance.

A lactation room for breastfeeding mothers is also set to be included within the clinic to provide working mothers with a safe and convenient space to breastfeed, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009.

The establishment of the facility was made possible through the combined efforts of the Gender and Development/Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GAD/GESI) program, General Services Division (GSD), Personnel Division, and the DA Employees Association (DAEA). The GAD/GESI program will provide oversight of the clinic and will be assisted by the DAEA through feedback mechanisms and recommendations, and by the GSD through procurement of equipment and other facilities. The Personnel Division will likewise supervise the personnel manning the medical and dental clinics.

Per Department Order No. 14, Series of 2025, which served as the enactment order for the DA clinic, the facility shall provide medical and dental services for all regular employees, Contract of Service/Job Order personnel, and employees of service providers. However, the full guidelines on its use are yet to be released.

The blessing was graced by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.; Undersecretary and Chief of Staff, and Chairperson of the DA Gender and Focal Point System Atty. Alvin John Balagbag; Assistant Secretary for High Value Crops, Sagip Saka, and Intellectual Property Atty. Joycel Panlilio; Assistant Secretary and Special Assistant for Export Development Philip Young; Mr. Alvin Paul Dirain, DAEA President; and Mr. Royal Feril, Chief of the Human Resources Development Division and Officer-in-Charge, concurrently serving as the Chief of the General Services Division.

Secretary Tiu Laurel donated a dental chair, while Mr. Feril provided a bed to the new clinic. ### (Ira Y. Cruz, DA-AFID)