LOCAL chief executives of poverty-stricken towns in Eastern Samar reported a minimum of 15 percent allocation from their internal revenue allotment (IRA) for local health programs.
Taft Mayor Marian June Libanan said that at least P10.36 million of their P69.13 million IRA share from the National Government have been used to address maternal and child mortality, fight diseases, and provide health services to poor families.
"We are very generous when it comes to health because we know that this is a basic need," Libanan said. Part of the budget is the provision of incentives to village health workers in their fourth class town.
In 2014, the town achieved a zero maternal and child mortality rate, significant increase in facility-based delivery, and more couples adopting family planning methods.
Dolores, the town in the province with highest IRA share at P102.47, is allocating P15.37 million for health programs this year.
"We have strengthened the local health system to address maternal and infant mortalities. One of this is the construction of birthing clinics in far-flung areas staffed by midwives and nurses," said Mayor Emilina Villacarillo.
This is on top of the upgrading of the town’s main health center.
"These were strategies to increase facility-based delivery. I ensure that the underprivileged have access to health insurance. We also provide free medicines to indigent families," she added.
The nearby fourth class town of Can-avid, has set side P12.54 million outlay for health services, representing 15 percent of P78.39 million share from national taxes.
Along with higher budget, the mayor has been more involved in building the town’s health system.
"We really tried to raise the allocation above minimum after I joined the MLGP (Municipal Leadership and Governance Program)," said Mayor Gil Norman Germino.
Launched in 2013, MLGP aims to institute transformative changes to local health leaders for better health outcomes of their respective towns. This is in support to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, through applying the knowledge and skills gained in two health leadership modules.
The three Eastern Samar towns belong to the first batch of eight towns in Eastern Visayas that took part of MLGP, a joint undertaking of the Department of Health (DOH), Zuellig Family Foundation, and United Nations Population Fund.
Other towns are Jipapad in Eastern Samar, Lavezares in Northern Samar, San Roque in Northern Samar, Paranas in Samar, and Lapinig in Northern Samar. These areas were selected based on maternal and child mortality rates and commitment of local leaders.
"These mayors came up with a roadmap in terms how are they going to change the health scenario in their areas,” said DOH Regional Director Minerva Molon.
The roadmap covers leadership and governance, financing, human resource, access to medicine and technology, information system, and service delivery. (PNA)