Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark A. Villar is optimistic that delivery and access to primary health care will improve in Catanduanes with the completion of 10 rural health unit (RHU) projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
In a report from DPWH Region 5 Director Virgilio Eduarte, a total of P33.86-million has been allotted for the construction of the barangay health stations in multiple municipalities of Catanduanes aimed to address the shortage of health facilities in the province.
The health stations are located in Barangay Buenavista in the Municipality of Bato; Barangays Villa Aurora and Tambongon in the Municipality of Viga; Barangay Sicmil in Gigmoto; Barangay San Vicente in Bagamanoc; Barangay Dariao in Caramoran; Barangay San Isidro in San Andres.
Funded under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH), each health station was built with persons-with-disability (PWD) friendly ramps, a sufficiently ventilated and well-lit treatment room, sanitary area, midwife office, receiving area, pantry, porch, and separate toilet for male and female.
Meanwhile, the Bato RHU II in the Municipality of Bato and Virac RHU I and II in the Municipality of Virac includes provisions of a family planning room, dental clinic, laboratory, Municipal Health Officer room, records room, drug room, induction room, and TB DOTS room.
“The construction of these facilities in Catanduanes is just a part of DPWH’s commitment to build necessary infrastructure to improve the precision of health care services in the country,” added Secretary Villar.