Vice President lauds village health workers
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte praised the barangay health workers (BHWs) in Surigao del Norte, highlighting how their hard work and education helped the people in the communities understand health, nutrition, and diseases.
Duterte was the guest of honor and speaker during the province’s Barangay Health Workers Convention at the Surigao Provincial Gymnasium on Friday, May 12.
She recognized the sacrifices that BHWs had to face because of the terrain of the area.
“I know your sacrifices and the difficulties you face in serving the communities – some of them cannot be reached unless you walk for several hours or ride a ‘habal-habal,’” she said in the local dialect.
“Together with the barangay officials, you have become the representatives of our government in the communities in the mountains and other places that are difficult to enter,” Duterte said.
She hailed the BHWs for taking the initiative to educate the communities on the value of children’s nutrition as well as how to take precautionary measures against different diseases.
“At all times, you are in the community – together with the people especially in times of trouble and trials,” Duterte said.
She said the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) Medical and Burial (MAB) assistance project is available in this province through the OVP Surigao Satellite Office in Tandag City.
The Caraga Medical Center, Surigao Doctors Hospital, Saint Paul Surigao University Hospital, Surigao Medical Center, and Surigao del Norte Provincial Hospital in this province are among the 343 public and private partner hospitals and dialysis centers of the OVP nationwide.
The Vice President said that the satellite office in Tandag has already provided 3,107 medical assistance services, issued 496 guarantee letters to partner hospitals, and provided assistance to the residents of Mainit, Surigao del Norte.
Duterte, who is also the co-vice chairperson of the country’s anti-insurgency task force, called on parents to make sure their children are in school and protect them from criminality, drugs, insurgency, and terrorism.
“Since you are already in the communities, I urge you to help explain the importance of keeping children away from the force that will destroy their future such as illegal drugs,” she said.
“Another call is to keep our children away from being seduced and recruited by the New People's Army,” she added.
On Facebook, the Vice President said that she visited the Capalayan Elementary School and Capalayan National High School in Surigao City where her office provided 151 PagbaBAGo bags to Grade 1 and Grade 7 students.
She greeted groups in Surigao City who supported her candidacy and the six years of the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.