Dealing with the People in the Community: Initial Step

This days marks the most exhilarating day to me because I went through series of activities that tested my ability in dealing with people in the community.  I visited two of the Muslim-inhabited  Barangays today. Brgy Lucatan and BrgyCabagayan to meet the respective Brgy. Captains in Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

  

When I was about to reach the Barangay Hall there were people standing there, talking. The secretary greeted me and  immediately logged in to the register of visitors. Waiting patiently was the barangay captain who was reallly in rush because of another meeting in poblacion. I talked to him about my purpose. He also talked about the way how people mostly lived their lives there and how people participate in every project that may be given to them. The whole conversation really was okay. He said they are open for any development introduce to them as long as it is for the good of its people. Our conversation ended with a warm smile. I immediately ask the secreatry of all the available barangay records they have. He sneaked a little bit sitting beside me and shared some information. His meeting was about to start and decided to spend time to me otherwise. Moreover, it was really good to know that all the data that I need was available. After completing the data I bid goodbye and decided to go. I left Brgy. Lucatan at 11: 50 am and waited for a motorbike going to National Highway. Reaching the national highway there is a terminal. That time I was so hungry. I fillled my stomach and decided to went on board (motor) at exaclty 1:00 pm.

The scheduled Courtesy call to the Brgy. Captain of Cabagayan was really in perfect timing because thee operation tuli is ongoing, therefore, officials are present in this kind of activity. I waited for the kapitan for 30 minutes because he was entertaining other visitors. When it was my time, I began to talked and delivered my speech as usual. His reaction was good though. We talked lots of things and decided to cut the conversation. He led me all the way to the barangay secretary for data gathering. I talked to him and greeted him. Asked a favor, he responded me and handed me over the data that I needed. We talk, laugh and shared common stories. A 40 year old man, single and available according to him. However, I continued to work on to my work and did the multi tasking; chikka and data gathering.

I finished the data gathering and immediate got his number. The Chairwoman of the Women's Association suddenly showed up and greeted us. Something  just pushed me to do the strategy. I talked to her and presented the project and the possible engagement of their association to the project. I was really happy that time. I went to the BHS and greeted the nurses and volunteers as they cut the flesh of those hundreds of children registered for circumcision. I helped them a bit and decided to go home.

Persons Met:

Brgy Lucatan

Bargy Capt.: Hon. Estalin Martin

Brgy. Treasurer: Nelia S. Colicog

Brgy. Kgd. Garry Jay Fernando

Brgy. Cabagayan

Brgy. Capt.: Hon.Bernaldo Sangue

Brgy. Secretary: Gekery Gangis

Challenges and Problems Encountered

The challenge that I experience was my security because I went to these two barangays without any companion. We already set an early morning departure from the poblacion but the assigned midwife in one of the barangays was not able to come because of the operation tuli in other barangays. It was really a problem to me because I know that the barangay captain is expecting me to come for the scheduled courtesy call. Even though it was hard for me to really go, I took the risk. When I arrived, I was really thankful that I decided to come because the captain patiently waited. He even stressed out that he didn’t really go to the poblacion for a some matter and really waited me for such purpose.

Reflection:

Taking risk is not something that tell us what or when to do something. We just need to use our common sense and behave, act and think positively, for there are things that really matter to us. Right decisions comes in a right time and right way. To sum it up, daghan kog nakat-onan karong adlawa.hahaha 

Courtesy call to the Municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston, Davao Oriental

Activity: Courtesy call to the Municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston, Davao Oriental

Date: April 16, 2015

As we continue to invade the east coast the team had to go through a lot of travel. We began our journey yesterday by visiting MHO’s of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga where we met different health personnel and gathered relevant information to initially understand the situation in the area. However, this day we started another day, another day to learn new things. We conducted courtesy calls to municipalities of Baganga, Cateel and Boston. These last three municipalities lie in the northern part of the province.

Baganga was greatly struck by typhoon Pablo last 2012 but we still can see how people strive hard to revive their economy. We met the Municipal Health Officer Dr.  Violeta P. Morales,MD and the TB aider Thellemae Balmores. Dr. Morales seemed to be so busy as   she came in and approached us happily. The conversation between us was so funny. Dr. Morales was really able to tell her story as to how she reached Baganga and the challenges she has been taking after the catastrophic typhoon. The project was explained by the Project Manager and emphasized the main role of the RHU and LGU in the engagement. We met the Executive Assistant, Mr. Milan Caubang where we explained how the project will be implemented and the actions or the support that the political leaders should give. Resolution making were among the things that was discussed in the said meeting. The team had to be so very quick that time because the team should be able to maximize the time in order to visit the next LGU.

Reaching the RHU in Cateel had become so poignant to me because I saw how people lived their lives after the typhoon. “Pabahay Program” of DSWD was given to the people. The houses are built in many different colors; green, blue, pink, yellow and red. Some of the houses in the relocation sites were not occupied maybe for some reasons. Shattered trees, trunks and abandoned establishments can be seen anywhere. We reached the RHU and unfortunately they had to occupy the Provincial Hospital-owned building due to the ongoing construction of the RHU building brought by the typhoon. The scenario was not good though because of the lack of space. We’ve seen how RHU operate that very moment. We were then introduced to the NTP coordinator and other staff as we waited for Dr. Modesto Veroy who happened to be in some place or a meeting. Christine Morales, NTP Coordinator together with the Public Health Nurse are both listening to the usual explanation of Ate Ging2x (though we heard it all over again). But aside from that I am still observing how our manager explains and answers every single detail and questions for it will also help me if I will be asked the same. Gladly, the whole time talking with the MHO, NTP, PHN and other staff was good. It was then when we decided to go to Boston to conduct courtesy call to the MHO which is supposed to be tomorrow (Apr. 17).

                           The view of the poblacion area in Boston was the first thing that we saw and it was a clear picture of a coastal community that was also ravaged by the calamity. A small and peaceful town within mountains and sea. As we say during the trip “save the last for the best”, indeed it was the best because this is the only municipality that have complied with the DOTS accreditation. We were welcomed by the staff and Dr. Al Raymon Tupas, Municipal Health Officer showed up and greeted us. It was supposed to tomorrow but because of some schedules we came earlier than expected. The whole conversation really was emotional for me because Dr. Tupas shared his experiences during the aftermath of the calamity. He really was expressing his relentless battle as they give health services to the people that are really in need those times. He said it was hard for him and other staff to really serve the people because the staff themselves was also victims. The team really had a great time hearing those experiences and even me doesn’t really expect to have a clear and up-close conversation with the victims of Pablo. The team checked-in to the only available inn. The remaining time we had was spent on walking to the bay near the plaza and talked to some of the people and children there. It was one of the moments that I like most about today’s activity.

Highlights of the Trip

After we con ducted courtesy call to Baganga the team decided to visit Aliwagwag Falls because we arrived at Cateel around 12 noon. The 19 km trip from poblacion Cateel was good because we saw the unadulterated areas of Davao Oriental;  fine view of beaches, green meadow of trees and the clear water flowing in the rivers. The gigantic hundred falls blew up my mind and it was clear to me how gifted is nature. We arrived at the place and people kept coming in and out. Series of picture-taking together with the team was fun. There were times that some of our colleagues embraced the moment and feel the gift of nature. According to one of the staff, the park is on its soft opening. Some buildings just began the construction and other amenities are under development. Zip Line with 680 meters through Cateel river and Monkey Bridge with 45 meters crossing the falls are some of the initial fun filled summer adventure that you wish to experience.

Courtesy Call to the Municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga

Activity: Travel Time (Dava to Mati City)  & Courtesy Call to the Municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga

Date: April 15, 2015

There is always a perfect timing for us, whether we like it or not our journey will officialy begin. Today, we conducted courtesy call to the first three municipalities which will be covered by the project. The municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga are municipalities that lies in the coastal area of the province facing the eastern pacific

We first met the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Tarragona, Dr. Prosperidad P. Silverion, TB Aider Mr. Elmer Acosta and other staff of the office. The team first presented the project after a couple of introductions. The MHO shared her core thrust in terms of giving services to the general public including its mechanism in reaching communities. She emphasized the mobilization of the community through concerted efforts of its partners and other agencies. A short but meaty conversation ended when Dr. Silverion said that, “We do our part as gatekeepers”, it clearly emphasizes the effective delivery of the health services to the community. Screening patients within the area is one of their efforts to reduce burden to the provincial level. Given that the said purpose (courtesy call) was delivered, the team decided to leave.

The 18 km ride from Tarragona to Manay was amazing. The panoramic views of the beaches and the terrains were things that made my eyes wider. Dr. Edwin, MHO; Ricky Pagadoan, NTP coordinator and; Norilyn Fabio,  TB aider welcomed us. The MHO took the chance to appreciate this kind of project where USAID through the BPSP augmented the need to intensify the case finding and detection rate in their municipality. Despite the said increase in their success rate there is, however, the need to increase their detection rate. The team really expressed the main purpose of the project. The MHO was challenged after hearing that they belonged to the six low performing municipalities in terms of TB program. We then decided to go and traveled to the next municipality.

              The municipality of Caraga is the last municipality that we visited. The old churches, ancestral houses and the distinctive architecture depicted Spanish traditions. It is said that the convent used to be the living quarters of the missionary priests. Before we went to the MH Office we headed to the said old church where we grab a rest and clicks facing the appealing waves of the sea. The place was one of the typical growing municipalities. The MHO we met is a half Indian half Filipino, Dr. Khuzuphilli together with her NTP Coordinator and TB aider, the team talked about the project and run through the flow of discussion. She emphasized that she is newly assigned in the area and not really penetrated to the communities. She works hand in hand with the NTP Coordinator and TB aider to address the call for their low performance in TB control. However, the MHO herself finds it really hard to facilitate some public services and especially in public health because of the lack of experience. The team went back to Mati City to Prepare for the next day activity.

                                                                                     Reflection:

                 Coordination is important. Establishing rapport and building thin line within partners should always prevail. Even though we are young to be in this field, it is important to make the partners feel that they can have trust on us. The establishment of trust and respect is one of the most important factors in doing the job for it is the only thing that might help us pursue the said project.