Samboan gets health facility for COVID-19 patients

CEBU, Philippines —  Community volunteers in Samboan town in northern Cebu have completed another project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-7 in strengthening participatory and improved local governance.

Through the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS), the coastal town of Samboan received additional funding to address the needs of their community during times of disaster such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

They have now received another health facility that caters to COVID-19 patients with its amenities, medical supplies, and disinfectants worth P9,149,000.

Previously, they had received health stations for which the newly-elected local chief executive vowed to strengthen their public health.

OIC-division chief of DSWD Promotive Services Emma F. Patalinghug led the turnover of the project to Samboan.

“While KALAHI-CIDSS aims to respond to the needs of the community, it also aims to instill community participation in local development planning. We have seen that your united efforts bore fruit through this facility where people can now access it whenever they need it,” said Patalinghug, in a statement.

Samboan Mayor Emelito S. Calderon, Jr., remains hopeful that this project of KALAHI-CIDSS will elevate the public health system of Samboan and reiterated his support for the program and its sustainability.

“We met a lot of challenges during the implementation. We received rejections and doubts from people and even the Typhoon Odette that hit us last year, but our people trusted each other and took a united stand to achieve this project,” said the local chief executive.

He said during his commitment message that his administration would provide hospital beds, a brand-new ambulance, and medical personnel to man the facility.

Community volunteers in Brgy. San Sebastian and neighboring barangays took their part in sharing their time, resources, and abilities to counter the funds provided to them by the program.

Despite having no compensation, unity is what drives them to actively participate in KALAHI-CIDSS.

Project Implementation Team (PIT) chair Generosa Dinolang shared that members of the community, especially women, were given importance as they play an active role in completing the sub-project.

With the process of KALAHI-CIDSS that guides the people of Samboan, DSWD hopes to see more local government units involve community members in consultation and planning what’s best for them. — GMR (FREEMAN)