CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga –The Provincial Department of Health Office (PDOHO) here is targetting zero open defecation in the province especially in hinterland barangays through the construction of household sanitary toilets (HSTs).
Dr. Remegio Basilan of PDOHO here said Kalinga ranks lowest in the Cordillera Adminstrative Region in terms of HSTs.
To address this concern, the PHHO in partnerhsip with the local government unit, piloted the construction of common septic tanks in Buscalan, Tinglayan with funds provided by DOH and downloaded to the LGU.
“To serve as model in the comunity, Tinglayan LGU has already mandated its officials, employees including job orders, barangay health workers to build their own HSTs and pigpens,” Basilan said.
In Tanudan, Dr. Judy Lacar, also of PDOHO, said they are supporting the “Project LUMANG-AD” (become better) covering the villages of Dacalan, Gaang, Lubo, Mangali and Taloctoc, One of the project’s components is the construction of household toilets.
Other components are construction of pigpens, backyard gardening, acces to safe water and waste segregation.
The DOH’s support is an incentive for Tanudan for enrolling under the Municipal Leadership and Governance Program. **PIA Kalinga
