HFI organizes a simple ceremony to commemorate the turnover of the facility to its new custodians
Not one but two (2) ceremonies were held last 26 August 2021, as another ALAGA KA Barangay Health Station (BHS) was turned over, this time to the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Luya and Local Government Unit (LGU) of San Luis, Batangas.
In attendance during the ceremony were San Luis Mayor Danilo Medina, Dr. Reina Abu (attending on behalf of Batangas Second District Cong. Raneo E. Abu), Luya Brgy. Capt. Marlyn De Villa, Luya Brgy. Coun. on Health Rosie Palle, Department of Health (DOH) Assistant Regional Director Dr. Paula Sydiongco, San Luis Municipal Health Officer Dr. Salvador Lasala, San Luis Rural Health Unit (RHU) Nurse Jan Mirano, Luya’s Barangay Council members, Barangay Health Workers (BHWs), Cluster Leaders (CLs), and HFI ALAGA KA Community Health Nurse (CHN) Ms. Emily Ilag (attending on behalf of HFI ALAGA KA CHN Ms. Angeline Dela Cruz).
The Luya ALAGA KA BHS turnover ceremony officially opened with the blessing of the health station and was followed by a short invocation prayer led by BHW Ms. Soledad Badillo and singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
To warmly welcome the guests, Luya Brgy. Capt. Marlyn De Villa delivered a message of gratitude to the donors who initiated and supported the construction of the Luya ALAGA KA BHS. During her speech, Brgy. Capt. De Villa also promised to find the necessary resources to ensure the sustainability of the facility and to not only those coming from the Barangay but also the health station’s catchment areas.
Following Brgy. Capt. De Villa’s opening message, Dr. Reina Abu who attended on behalf of her father Cong. Raneo E. Abu, also gave an articulated speech emphasizing the importance of having a BHS and staff to run its operation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Abu also asked the Luya BLGU council members and residents to utilize the facility for the purpose of their development as a community.
Meanwhile, Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) Chairman Dr. Jaime “Doc Jimmy” Galvez Tan, who was not able to physically join the event due to the current quarantine protocols, delivered his message of inspiration to the guests through a pre-recorded video. In his speech, Doc Jimmy also highlighted the significance of having a BHS in the implementation of Universal Health Care (UHC), and the rollout of PhilHealth’s Serbisyong Konsulta which aims to provide free outpatient services in the country. According to Doc Jimmy, since Brgy. Luya now has their own BHS, they will be among the first barangays to enjoy this social service.
Following Doc Jimmy’s inspiring and informative speech, Sun Life Foundation Executive Director Ms. Kristine Millete, who also sent a video message for this event, encouraged the new custodians of Luya ALAGA KA BHS and the residents to take care of the facility by making it useful to everyone. Ms. Millete also mentioned that the Sun Life Foundation team is looking forward to visiting the community soon.
DOH Assistant Regional Director Dr. Paula Sydiongco also graced the program with a message of gratitude to Sun Life Foundation and HFI for building a health station that is not only effective but also aesthetically pleasing especially for children who are often scared of going into clinics or hospitals. Dr. Sydiongco also took her speech as an opportunity to encourage the BLGU and LGU to continue their campaigns on immunization and prenatal health amidst the pandemic.
Approaching the end of the program, San Luis Mayor Danilo Medina delightedly accepted the project with a message of gratitude to the Almighty God along with the donors who made this initiative possible. According to Mayor Medina, the municipality has no financial capacity to build the infrastructure, hence his utmost joy and gratitude to Sun Life Foundation and HFI. He also calls on Luya’s BLGU and residents to cherish the facility and the ambulance which the San Luis LGU was also able to provide in response to the barangay’s health care needs.
On behalf of the Luya BHWs, BHW Head Ms. Hilda Bocayes also thanked HFI and Sun Life Foundation for building the BHS in their Barangay. During her speech, Ms. Bocayes also extended her gratitude to HFI ALAGA KA CHN Ms. Angeline Dela Cruz, for the training and guidance that she gave to the BHWs who are now more prepared and confident to help their fellow Luya residents.
For the closing remarks, San Luis Municipal Health Officer Dr. Salvador Lasala gave a short and simple reminder to everyone to take care of the new Luya ALAGA KA BHS.
For the main event of the ceremony, Mayor Medina, Brgy. Capt. De Villa, and Dr. Lasala led the Signing of the Deed of Donation, marking the official turnover of Luya ALAGA KA BHS to the Luya, San Luis, Batangas LGU.
To signify this momentous event, a ceremonial key was handed over by CHN Ilag to Mayor Medina, Brgy. Capt. De Villa, BHW Head Bocayes, and the Cluster Leaders in attendance. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held to culminate the program.
The guests took a brief tour of the newly turned-over Luya ALAGA KA BHS and had a quick photo opportunity to memorialize the event.
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In partnership with Sun Life Foundation, the construction of these BHS in Batangas aims to provide access to primary health care through the construction of eight (8) Barangay Health Stations (BHS) and implementation of Community-based Health and Wellness Programs (CBHWP) in Batangas in the year 2020.
With these interventions, the project is expected to benefit around 25,000 individuals, mostly from the far-flung barangays and marginalized communities.
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