Asmae – VPHCS end of project document released

An end of the project document (EOPD) of the VPHCS three-year projects with the Asmae – Association Soeur Emmanuelle in France has just been released.

The 28-page document in magazine form chronicles the three projects implemented with the support of Asmae from March 2008 to December 2010 to improve the health and welfare of three urban poor communities in Metro Cebu, namely: Sitio St. Mary Grace in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City, Sitio Back of Matimco in Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City, and Sitio Salvage in Barangay Looc, Lapu-lapu City.

The VPHCS also reaped huge gains in terms of organizational strengthening and capability building to pursue its programs and services in a more systematic, effective and efficient manner.

One project evolved into the second and then into the third. The first project, “Capability Building on Community-based Health Programs in Cebu: Community Diagnosis” in March 2008 to August 2008 was followed by the second project “Promotion of Environmental Health and Child Nutrition in Community-based Health Programs in Cebu and Strengthening the Sustainability Aspect of the VPHCS” in April 2009 to December 2009 and the third project, “Strengthening and Sustaining the Community-based Health Programs in Cebu” in January 2010 to December 2010.”

The projects worked in partnership with the people’s organizations, including the St. Mary Grace Neighborhood Association in Barangay Talamban, the Kaming Lumulupyo walay Sandigan (KALUWASAN) in Sitio Back of Matimco, and the Anakpawis – Looc Chapter in Sitio Salvage.

Generally, the whole project is part and parcel of the community-based health programs (CBHP) building endeavors of the VPHCS for the past several years.

Building and strengthening local capacity has become more urgent with the advent of the national and global trend on health which emphasizes user-fee services and privatization of government health service agencies in the face of the people’s worsening poverty that severely incapacitates them to pay for health care.

The community projects have indeed harnessed the people’s initiatives to map out their own plans and programs to improve the health situation in their communities. With such initiatives proven and embedded in their organizations, the CBHPs in the three sitios continue to this day to be pursued vigorously in order to meet the health needs of the people in the face of the increasing cost of health care and economic crisis facing our country. The project outputs – the health centers, the toilets, the services of the health committees and the improved health-seeking behavior and general health situation of the people shall remain as indelible hallmarks of the project in the years to come.

Kalihukan sa Katawhan alang sa Kahimsog (KKK) launched in Cebu

The launching of the Kalihukan sa Katawhan alang sa Kahimsog (KKK) or the People’s Movement for Health was held with the Purple Ribbon Campaign for the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill last October 7.

The VPHCS is one of the convenors of the KKK. The other convenors and participating organizations in the whole-day activity included the following, namely: Catholics for Reproductive Health – Cebu, Consortium for Gender, Health and Development, Crusade against Violence (CAV), Gabriela – Cebu, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines (FPOP), Population Commission (POPCOM) Region 7, Association of Concerned Texters (ACT), Bisdak Pride, Inc., Carolinians for Reproductive Health, United Vendors Association (CCUVA), Cebu Urban Poor Women’s League (CUPWOL), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), Panaghugpong sa Kabus sa Dakbayan sa Cebu (Federation of Urban Poor Organizations in Cebu), Philippine Federation of Married Catholic Priests, Pro Quality Life Training and Development, Sidlak Gender Resource Center – Region 7, SUMAKA, Inc., United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and the Women’s Resource Center of Cebu (WRCV).

Forum in CENDET

The theme was “Reproductive Health towards Universal Access to Comprehensive Health Care for Filipinos.”

The activities included statements, a press conference, a multi-sectoral forum, a city-wide caravan, and a program in Fuente Osmena Park.

March for RH to Fuente Osmena Park

The Purple Ribbon campaign was held in partnership with the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development Foundation, Inc. (PLCPD), Reproductive Health Advocacy Network (RHAN), Philippine NGO Council on Population, Health and Welfare, Inc. (PNGOC), and the Forum for Family Planning and Development.

Former Secretary of Health Dr. Alberto Romualdez, C4RH national president Dr. Edelina Dela Paz, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Emerenciana de Jesus spoke in the press conference on the necessity of the RH bill and universal access to health care.

A forum was held in the Center for Development Education and Training (CENDET) at 2: 00 p.m. attended by around 300 members of the participating organizations. Dr. Dela Paz talked on the theme, “The Reproductive Health Bill, a Step Forward towards Universal and Comprehensive Health Care.” Following her talk was Rep. de Jesus with her “Updates, Prospects of the RH Bill.”

Press Conference on the Purple Ribbon Campaign and launching of the KKK.

Simultaneous with the forum was a motorcade of groups and individuals calling for the
passage of the RH bill that toured the major city streets and places including Osmena Boulevard, M.J. Cuenco Ave., Carbon Market, Tabo-an market, Mango Ave. and other major thoroughfares. Leaflets written in Cebuano containing the basics on the RH bill were distributed while speeches and announcements were also made as the motorcade toured around the city.

Motorcade in the city’s major thoroughfares

Marinet Palacio, urban poor group representative speaks.

The participants of the forum and motorcade later converged in Fuente Osmena Park, where a program ensued with various speakers taking turns in calling for the passage of the RH bill and universal access to health care.