Mayor to bolster health program

DON Salvador Benedicto Mayor Marxlen de la Cruz said that with the help of non-government organization Zuellig Family Foundation, he will be able to strengthen programs that address maternal mortality and other health concerns of his constituents.

De la Cruz is the only chief executive from Negros Occidental who enrolled in the one-year health course sponsored by the Zuellig in partnership with the University of Makati.

The course is a fixed unit subject aimed to tap local chief executives to set the target for every LGU and reach the Millennium Development Goal on health concerns, the mayor said.

Consisting of a four-day lecture and six-month practicum, the course will cover one semester and is scheduled to end next year.

De la Cruz said that his learning in the course can benefit his town.

He admitted that the locality needs health facilities and equipment, considering that the town is located far from the urban area.

One concern that was taken up in the said course is the increasing mortality rate among pregnant mothers who give birth, the mayor said.

De la Cruz cited that 11 mothers die every day while giving birth to their children.

He said there is a need for increased information dissemination in this area of concern.

Meanwhile, de la Cruz said he will run for the same post next year. (Teresa D. Ellera)