INTERMITTENT rains and flooded roads did not dampen the spirit of local government officials in San Simon in providing entertainment to pregnant mommies through the conduct of this year’s “Buntis Congress” in Barangay San Jose Friday.
Over 200 would-be mothers from the 14 barangays here were gathered in the San Jose Sports Complex for a whole day of celebration fused with educational lectures on various topics.
According to Dr. Marline Dela Rosa, Municipal Rural Health physician, the 5-in-1 activity aims to celebrate five successful years of the San Simon birthing clinic, as well as promote family planning, breastfeeding, safe pregnancy, and healthy diet among the pregnant.
The rural health unit (RHU) staff came up with five well-designed pop-up booths for each topic as a venue for educational lectures and other information dissemination for visiting Simonian families, Dela Rosa said.
During the celebration, Mayor Leonora Wong cited the importance of educating women, especially first-time mothers, about the proper activities and measures to ensure that their babies will come out healthy.
“It is very important that as early as pregnancy, both the mommy and baby are healthy to avoid complications during the delivery and while the baby grows up. In San Simon, we very much value maternal and newborn health care which was evident on the recognition given by the Department of Health (DOH),” she said.
Earlier this year, this town’s lone RHU bested 23 cities and municipalities in the province after it bagged the first place in the implementation of the maternal newborn child health and nutrition program presented by the DOH.
Moreover, Wong also noted of the priority given by the local government in promoting proper family planning among Simonian families. She stressed that the practice of family planning has an important long-term impact on the family, community and to the economy.
“Proper family planning is really called for in our situation today. Not only that it will have a great impact on the family’s financial situation, but it is also considered healthier for the whole family, especially during the growing up years of children,” she said.
Meanwhile, the celebration was highlighted by the educational games and impromptu beauty contest among pregnant mommies. Winning participants were given tokens sponsored by former Mayor Rodrigo Canlas who served as guest of honor in the celebration.
During his speech, Canlas reminded the pregnant that their responsibility does not stop after giving birth, rather is just the start of their journey as a mother of their children and the light of their household.
“There is only one thing I ask from you. Please be responsible parents to your children. Do it and you will see the better things that will come to you and your family after. As a former mayor, I know that the local government has a lot of assistance that you can enjoy, and this Buntis Congress is just one of them,” he said.