In partnership with Fourth District Rep. Congressman Christopher “Toff” De Venecia, the city of Dagupan received several equipment for use of its Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Child Development Workers (CDWs) and Barangay Tanods in all 31 barangays.
All these were turned over by Rep. De Venecia during a program at the East Central Integrated School on February 12,
Barangay workers collectively received a total of 39 spygnometers or instruments to measure blood pressure, 39 sets of nebulizers, 77 sets of two-way radios as well as stethoscopes and belt bags.
These equipment will be used by BHWs and CDWs in attending to sick patients, including senior citizens, in their areas of coverage as front liners in health. Meanwhile, the two-way radios will be a big boon in maintaining peace and order.
According to Rep. De Venecia, the turnover was the result of his consultations and meetings with these grassroots workers where they identified some of their most pressing needs.
“Nalaman ko na grabe ang mga pinagdadaanan ng ating mga BHWs at ng ating mga tanod, Gaya ng sinabi ko . . . , wala silang security of tenure, kulang sa kagamitan, walang mga benepisyo tapos very meager yung honorarium na natatanggap nila. I mean we’re lucky na yung LGU, minsan tumutulong din. Or nagbibigay ng monthly allocation na pandagdag sa mga barangay pero it’s still not enough.”
He also added: “Kasi talagang—mga BHW natin, abonado. Sila yung bumubunot sa mga bulsa nila para magbayad dun sa pamasahe papuntang ospital, sinasamahan yung kanilang mga ka-barangay. Nakakaawa. Yung mga tanod naman, sila yung frontliners sa peace and order pero wala man lang silang two-way radio, ‘di nila mareport yung mga nangyayari sa mga kapulisan. Talagang ang daming pangangailangan.”
De Venecia admitted that the procurement of the equipment was made possible by several fundraising strategies, he conducted, including part of the proceeds of the stage play “Himala”, which he personally directed.
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“Kumatok ako sa pintuan ng maraming mga kaibigan natin—yung iba from the government, yung iba from the private sector, nag-fundraising pa kami ng show, so we were able to raise the funds needed at least for this first tranche,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez expressed her gratitude for the equipment given to the barangays, saying this is timely and in conjunction with Dagupan’s plans to boost disaster preparedness and the campaign on peace and order.
Fernandez also expressed her hopes in strengthening the synergy between the local government and the city’s barangays, which is necessary in implementing the “Do the Right Thing/Starts with You” program, which calls for cooperation within the city in ensuring that Dagupan will continue to be safe and clean for all Dagupeños. (Marie Verdelle Jenica M. De Vera/CIO/Feb. 12, 2018)