Photo shows Embassy of Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura (center), and Leyte Provincial Board Member Roque A. Tiu (First from the left) during the site visit on October 20, 2010. |
On October 20, Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura visited the Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte to observe the birthing facility that was completed by“ The Project for Construction of Birthing Facility in the Municipality of Tanauan, Leyte, ”after he attended the 66 th Anniversary of the Leyte Gulf Landings. The p roject, amounting to US$ 62, 135 (approximately 3 million pesos), is funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
Because of the lack of birthing facility, pregnant women in the Municipality Tanauan used to select home deliveries before. Without proper medical kits and professional doctors and nurses, they could not avoid various risks. Especially in the case of emergency, there used to be cases where pregnant women had to put their lives at risk for the lack of necessary medical care.
The newly-completed birthing facility started its operation May 2010 and has achieved significant milestones. With the presence of the facility and the effective information dissemination of the Municipal Health Office, the number of home deliveries has largely decreased from 143 cases in 2009 to just 30 cases in 2010 (approximately 21 percent decrease). A total of 247 babies have been delivered in the facility since the establishment (around 50 babies per month).
Provincial Board Member Roque A. Tiu (former mayor of the municipality) guided Ambassador Katsura during the site visit, and expressed his deep appreciation for the grant assistance of the Government of Japan.
Japan launched, as the top donor of the official development assistance, G GP in the Philippines in 1989 for the purpose of reducing poverty and helping various communities engaged in grassroots activities. As of March 20 10 , 434 grassroots projects funded by GGP – ranging from roughly 1 to 4 million pesos – have been implemented by NGOs, local government units and other non-profit organizations. The total grant for these projects so far amounts to US$ 18,982,775 . It is expected that this project will further enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries towards the future.
Japanese Version
