BONTOC, Mountain Province – Constituents of Barangay Bontoc Ili in this capital town can now benefit and enjoy the use of the newly constructed two-storey Chakalan Barangay Health Station (BHS) amounting to P2.2 million.
The project was realized with the P500,000 from the Department of Health (DOH) and the P1.7 million counterpart of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU). The project cost covered the demolition of the old building, construction and completion of the new BHS, and installation of electrical wirings and lights.
During the blessing and inauguration of the Chakalan BHS on March 27, 2019, Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey encouraged the beneficiaries to be responsible stewards in using the building for them to ensure that this shall last for succeeding generations to also use and enjoy.
Odsey expressed high hopes that with the new BHS of Barangay Bontoc Ili, utmost quality health care shall be provided as healthy constituents contribute to a progressive community.
Development Management Officer IV Claudio Pancho of the DOH- Provincial Office shared that initially, the building to be constructed shall serve as an Animal Bite Treatment Center. However, with the presence of an Animal Bite Treatment Center at the Bontoc General Hospital, the project was reprogrammed into a BHS.
Pancho also assured that the DOH shall equip the BHS with the necessary equipment and materials such as the birthing bed.
Sangguniang Bayan member Julian Chumacog, who also chairs the Committee on Health in his message seconded the pronouncement of Mayor Odsey and challenged the community to take good care of the building since it is them who shall benefit from it.
Dr. Diga Kay Gomez, the Municipal Health Officer thanked the DOH and the municipal elective officials for the realization of the project.
Dr. Gomez also announced the increase in the honoraria of the Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) provided by the Bontoc LGU. She relayed that BHWs started to receive an honorarium of P400.00 each. It increases in the following years, and for the Calendar Year 2019, a BHW shall receive an annual honorarium of P8, 000.
Sangguniang Bayan members Viola Okko, Alsannyster Patingan, and Esteban Nguddo unanimously said that the realization of the project is due to the harmonious working relationship between the Chief Executive and the legislative body.
The blessing of the Chakalan BHS was officiated by Father Lucrecia Turtem of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines (EDNP). Also present are Association of Barangay Captain (ABC) President and Bontoc Ili Punong Barangay Alexander Fana-ang, staff from the Municipal Health Office, representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Bontoc Builders that won in the bidding process and worked for the project represented by Jerome Tudlong, and some employees of the Bontoc LGU.
By Alpine L. Killa