Pasay City – In its aim to upgrade hospital facilities at Bontoc General Hospital, the Provincial Government of Mountain Province entered into a grant contract for the provision of medical fixtures under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) with the Government of Japan represented by Embassy of Japan (EOJ) Ambassador Koji Haneda at the EOJ, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City last February 27, 2018.
The Grant Contract Signing (GCS) program comprised of two parts, the orientation for proponents which dwelt on the financial mechanics of the grant and the accountability and responsibility of recipients and the GCS proper. The governor, Provincial Health Officer II Nenita D. Lizardo, Provincial Accountant Theodore B. Marrero, Provincial Treasurer Cawed A. Gamonnac, Provincial Information Officer Novy R. Afidchao and Engr. Cathleen Padngaran attended the GCS.
The ceremony was graced by Director Margarita Ballesteros, International Cooperation Office of the Department of Education (DepEd) and by Assistant Secretary Enrique A. Tayag, Office for Policy and Health Systems of the Department of Health (DOH). Other proponents from Socorro-LGU, Oriental Mindoro and from Natonin-LGU, Mountain Province led by Mayor Mateo Chiyawan were also present during the Grant Contract Signing.
The approved two million-worth contract for Mountain Province LGU under the GGP will provide for two operating room lights and two delivery beds for Bontoc General Hospital.
According to Dr. Lizardo, the aforementioned medical fixtures aim to improve the efficiencies and effectiveness of operations and delivery procedures or services in the hospital. The project is expected to benefit approximately 1,300 patients in need of operations and 700 delivering pregnant women annually.
In his message, Ambassador Haneda commended the three LGU-recipients for their commitment to the projects as shown by their persistence in complying with the requisites and following up their proposals, thereby, their efforts coming to fruition.
“We are delighted that we are slowly bridging the gap between the government and the communities. The GGP is instrumental to the harmonious and continuing partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Through our partnership, we can make things happen,” Haneda added.
“On behalf of the people of Mountain Province, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continuous support to the people of Mountain Province by approving the grant aimed at upgrading one of our hospitals’ medical fixtures,” Lacwasan said in his message of appreciation.
It could be recalled that in 2016, the Provincial Health Office headed by Dr. Lizardo submitted a proposal to the EOJ. The proposal premised on Bontoc General Hospital being the main hospital and it being a major health services provider in Mountain Province. The proposal also gave emphasis on the large number of patient-influx that Bontoc General Hospital faced periodically; consequently, encountering difficulty in providing adequate and safe medical services due to dilapidated operating room lights and delivery beds.
Meanwhile, a Level II water system worth 4.3 million pesos will be provided to Natonin LGU. According to Mayor Chiyawan, the project will provide sufficient, safe and potable supply of water to 175 households or approximately 940 family members in the three sitios in Barangay Banawel.
“Majority of households have to fetch water in the nearby spring source daily which often takes an hour back and forth. This burdens the community especially the women who are mostly doing the household chores,” Mayor Chiyawan relayed.
Further, he gratefully commented that once the project is completed, it will lessen the time spent for fetching water, and thus women can use their time more productively.
The Government of Japan launched the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of the present, including the abovementioned projects, 533 grassroots projects have already been funded by the GGP with a total amount of US$ 31,786,643 (approximately 475 million pesos). Japan believes that these projects will not only strengthen the friendship between the people of Japan and the Philippines but will also foster a lasting partnership between Japan and the Philippines. ** Mountain Province –PIO
