ANTIQUE – I am Dr. Leoncio Abiera Jr, Provincial Health Officer I. For more than a decade of service, I witnessed the drastic change in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) implementation but the partnership we have with DSWD Field Office VI remains firm and coordinated.

Our collaboration with DSWD particularly with 4Ps started when the program was implemented in Antique – given that one of the program’s conditions is the improvement of the well-being of the beneficiaries in terms of their health. The collaboration strengthened as we took part in the Antique Provincial Convergence Committee (PCC) Meeting – an avenue where heads of provincial offices meet quarterly to discuss program/department updates, and accomplishments and where issues and concerns are raised and addressed.

The PCC bridges the gap between departments resulting in a high sense of co-creation and synergy that fosters improved service delivery to Antiqueňos. With this, different concerns of PHO regarding 4Ps beneficiaries and vice versa are heard. Also, the compliance of beneficiaries and updates on their health facilities are shared for our information and baseline on where we can deliver health services. We have been partners with 4Ps towards human development and healthy communities in Antique.

In 2013, PHO initiated the formation of a Community Health Team (CHT) to monitor the recipients of the 4Ps regarding their regular consultation. It was also one way to encourage the 4Ps beneficiaries to visit the health center for immunization, vaccination, check-ups, and other health services that they can avail of for free. Unfortunately, CHT ended during the time of the pandemic due to public health protocols.

Also, in 2016, during the PCC Meeting, 4Ps presented the Wave 1 Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) assessment result, and in the same year, the Social Adequacy result of the Province of Antique, where it was found that almost 50% of the households do not have access to a sanitary toilet. As PHO is dedicated to the well-being of people that’s why we ensure that they are provided with micronutrients and have access to wash & sanitation. Thus, the DOH/PHO with the assistance of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) took action on giving away toilet bowls to recipient households who needed them most – the majority of which were 4Ps households.

More importantly, PHO has been an active resource person during the Family Development Session (FDS) until the present. Through FDS, we have an opportunity for actual engagement with the beneficiaries where we can provide health counseling. As I recall, during the pandemic, PHO staff were invited by 4Ps Antique to speak about health and nutrition through DYKA Radio Station during their FDS ON AIR.

In addition, PHO has many programs and initiatives to raise public health awareness for all Antiqueňos including the 4Ps, for instance, the Barangay 1st 1000 Days Program which is a mother-to-mother peer counseling as support for all pregnant women and lactating mothers with children aged 0-23 months. Also, the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) program focuses on the prevention of health problems during childhood, the Preventable Diseases Vaccine Program, and many other health prevention and consultation programs.

When it comes to health compliance of beneficiaries, based on the data presented during PCC, it is commendable that 4Ps Antique has done its job in encouraging the beneficiaries to visit health centers for regular consultation, though it is incentive-wise, it doesn’t change the fact that they are actually being checked and monitored by medical professionals which the program’s goal for healthy 4Ps families is achieved.

However, on the aspect of beneficiary data, it would be more efficient if there is a shared system where 4Ps and its primary partners in human development could access for easier tracking and crossmatching if the need arises without violating the Data Privacy Act.

As an integral partner of DSWD, PHO is very much willing to provide health-related services and highly committed to improving the well-being of the Antiqueňos including the 4Ps beneficiaries. (Antique POO)