Armm provides healthelated infra in conflict-affected towns

By Teng L. Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief

Cotabato City — The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been providing health and social protection assistance to communities in Maguindanao, the most conflict-affected province in the region, through the construction and enhancement of health facilities.

Since late last year, over P216 million have been allocated for such projects, which were implemented through the Armm’s Humanitarian and Development Action Plan. The HDAP-Armm is a project of the Hataman administration that implements various government initiatives in conflict-affected areas of the region.

These initiatives include relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of both horizontal and vertical infrastructures and provision of livelihood programs that will promote peace and help the situation in calamity-affected communities specifically in 15 towns of Maguindanao.

The projects include 34 Barangay Health Stations, with 86.45% physical accomplishment, constructed in the different towns in Maguindanao.

Meanwhile, three Rural Health Units were expanded in the municipalities of Mamasapano, Talitay and Datu Piang, while the RHUs in Talayan and Datu Salibo are yet to be constructed.

Fifteen deep wells with elevated water tanks worth P7.5 million and 15 communal toilets worth P3.75 million were also constructed in the municipalities of Rajah Buayan, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Hoffer, Sharrif Aguak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Talitay, Shariff Saydona, Guindulungan, Datu Piang, and Mamasapano.

On April 21, 2017, a ceremonial groundbreaking was conducted for the construction of the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital – Datu Piang Annex, which has a 25-bed capacity and would be worth over P46 million.

The provision of support package equipment for the hospital is still under bidding, while the personnel salary for operations will be covered by a memorandum of agreement upon the completion of the hospital building.

HDAP-Armm aims at establishing a well-coordinated and systematic approach to address and mitigate effects of disasters and calamities. It also aims at addressing the needs and at providing immediate interventions to families affected by violent encounters between the military and the rebels. (with reports from bpi armm)