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 Barangay Local Government Unit

Activity: Short Talk with MHO. The early morning experience with Municipal Health Officer Dr. Prosperidad Silveron was one of the things that I like most about today's activities.  I finally had the chance to talk with her about all the things that I might do for the whole period of my stay. She said she was really very busy these past few days and she even stressed out how hard it is for her to be wide awake the other nights due to series of activities that have been lining up. I was really happy that at last I really presented my major activities. The planned courtesy call wasn’t conducted due busy schedules of the mayor. However, the following outputs have been achieved after a short meeting. These are the following;

• Identified the main goal of MHO in Tb Control (Success Rate)
• Arrangements of Courtesy Call to Mayor (availability)
• Reconciliation of TB data to improve recording system in identifying  actual tb cases all forms.
• Validated the availability of health data and other TB related statistics.

I decided to conduct the barangay courtesy call to two of the most nearest barangay and ask for  the approval of the MHO. Fortunately, she permitted me. The two barangays  situated along  the highway became the first two areas I visited  today. I began my journey at around 11 am.

Brgy. Cabagayan

Reaching the area was quite easy due to good access of vehicles whether it is a van, a "skylab" or a bus. I preferred to take a van that time as recommended by one of the RHU staff in order to save transportation expenses. I filled my empty stomach before going to the barangay hall, prepared the brochure, and myself of course. Present during my visit were only the SPES scholars, barangay record keeper and Botika ng Barangay Staff. The barangay officials are currently attending seminar at Davao City about the procurement and budgeting. With courage, I began to speak and introduced myself, talked about the project and its main goal or purpose. I stayed for 1 and a half hour and just kept asking  relevant questions. I have even joined them on their late lunch. While they were eating, there were things that I really learned including  the place and the people who lives there. I expressed myself in a way that they can relate to me because most of them are young people. They all treated me very well. I cant help the feeling of being valued, every words I  speak and every gestures I made was meaningful to them. I have this feeling of being dignified, being respected which I think I have never experienced before. However, there are things that have made me realize how hard it is for the first timers like me to talk with these groups of people. The courtesy call achieved the following:

• Initially identified trends (political), religious distribution (Muslims and Christian)
• Schedule of Regular Session (this coming May 6 and 13, 2015)
• Met the Botika ng Barangay Personnel and identified the medicines that are mostly accessed by the people (for cough, fever, diarrhea, skin rashes)

• Captured photos of the Barangay Map (11 sitios), Barangay Organizational Structure (expanded), health data board (updated) and Barangay Officials.

• Scheduled the Courtesy Call on Monday, April 27, 2015, Afternoon.

The scheduled date of the operation tuli of the Municipal Health Office will be on April 27, 2015 and I said I'll be present during that time to finally meet the barangay captain and the councilors as well.

Barangay Tomoaong

The 1 hour wait for the van along the highway was really good because I was able to talk to the people within the area. I was in a hurry and decided to take a break and went to the CR in one of the houses beside the road. I was surprised with what I saw and it introduced me into what they called "antipolo", a kind of toilet that has only two slits of wood  at the center creating a rectangular-shape hole. But what I appreciate was the concrete septic tank that they are using. When I was waiting, I asked couple of people  as to how they have been living their lives there. Most of them are Muslims and it was really in my mind the fear of talking to them because I have bad experiences with the Muslims in our place. I decided to finally ride the motorbike  because the time left was not enough to really conduct the visit. I have in my mind that the next barangay has no barangay officials because of the seminar bu then I pursued. When I got there, I was reminded of the woman  I talked when I was in Cabagayan. She was the same woman,very timid and was wearing a headress called "tubon". I reached through her and greeted everybody in the Barangay Health Station. The woman was incidentally the Barangay Kagawad and the committee chair on health. I was really surprised then. I met the Midwife, Rosie M. Alcoser, BHW's and RHMPP Miss Fern, assigned in the barangay. The courtesy call achieved the following:

• Initially identified trends (political), religious distribution (Muslims and Christian)

• Met the federation president of Coconut Association (possible CBO) in the area and other staff of the BHS.

• Established friendly environment towards Kagawad on Health and the Midwife.

• Captured photos of the Barangay Mission and Vision, Barangay Organizational Structure (expanded), Barangay Officials, Names of other barangay development council.

I found out that there are only 3 barangay captains that have served the community since the barangay was established in in 1968. People are more focused on improving their methods and technologies applied in farming which is actually stated in their mission vision statement. The barangay plaza was filled with joy and celebration because of the upcoming fiesta on the 29th of April. A have seen a picture of a healthy and unified community because people are working together on the preparation and beutification.  I went back to the poblacion Tarragona together with the RHMPP, Miss Fernie who is assigned in the area. Gladly I was able to ride in a jeepney once again. Around 5:30 pm I jumped off the jeepney bringing with me the first experience in 2 barangays that I visited.

Reflection:

There are things that have helped improved myself. I learned that you really need to have courage and patience to be able to achieve whatever goals you wanted. Taking away doubts and negative things might be a good factor in seeing new things in a broader sense.

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.

5 Tips in Processing Government Transactions

As I have noticed, there are actually thousands of people coming in and out every single minute especially in government establishments everyday. Not to mention the lines that you need to bump in just to pay for the services; cedula, health card, clearances and permits. Im saying that you literally needed to have patience. However, visiting this kind of office is not so easy, you must do the following:

1. Eat before you leave home. Usually, when we go for any transactions we tend to skip our meals just to get rid of traffic congestions. Have a full stomach can help you sustain the long hours of wait. Bringing with you some biscuits or chocolates can help.

2. Secure your requirements. Taking into consideration all the requirements, it is important to scan your papers, review the lacking documents because it will help you maximize your time. In my end, I came to get a police clearance but I wasn't able to bring my cedula as a requisite to having a clearance. Thus, it affects my time.

3. Bring extra cash. If your money is alloted only to pay for your required documents, you are in danger. In your way to getting these requirements there are number of unexpected expenses that you might actually have. There are instances that you can pay for unneccessary charges. In other way around you, you just find yourself thirsty and to quench your thirst you can buy a couple of refreshments.

4. Take a bath. Due to several reasons we are sometimes forced to go even without taking a bath. You know that making yourself fresh can help you become more relax while on the line, sitting and standing for an hour. It was the most disgusting part for me. I wasn't able to fix myself before a government transaction. I went to so many offices, the heat of the sun really embarrassed me. The dust that blends in my went face and body made me feel so sticky. I swear, my sweat was pouring and I cant help but to feel awkward. Stinky. I really looked waisted and fucked. However, realizing these traumatic incident, the next time I did the same thing I secured myself to be rejuvenated.

5. Make yourself busy. Having a phone can help you find ways not to get bored while waiting. Texting, reading pdf short story, playing games are things that you can do. Apparently, this article was written while I am sitting, waiting for my turn. See? You can make something that can turn you in to your comfort zone.


Conclusion

I am saying that government system has to change. The way they deliver services, the manner of proper housekeeping (not literal housekeeping), effectiveness and efficiency should be observed.



Note: I am writing this just to make myself busy while waiting for more than a hundred people before me, also craving for food. it is almot 2:00 pm but my stomoch is still empty. I didnt feel that after writing this article Im the next one to be served.