Farmers’ Clinic in Catarman, Northern Samar: The First Steps

Posted by JOMA | Blog | 水曜日 5 10 月 2011 9:35 am

Seal of Northern Samar The trip was really a learning experience for me, to learn the process of doing project proposals for international collaborations.

During our site visit to Catarman, Northern Samar, I am assured that the project will be sustainable since the non-government organization (CAPO Foundation) and the local government can work together, as well as the support of the community is there.

The Japanese Embassy also gave positive response when we presented the proposal to them. I think there will be a successful collaboration between these Institutions together with the Obihiro University and the University of the Philippines Manila.

Here is the itinerary of the trip:

09　月　27　日

Upon arrival at Manila, we got stranded in the airport because of the typhoon and flood. The hotel was just running with generator when we arrived due to power failure.

09　月　28　日

CAPO Foundation
When we arrived at Catarman, Northern Samar, we met the head of the non-government organization, CAPO Foundation, Dr. Gilda Carpio. She was a retired medical doctor and owner of a private school. CAPO Foundation is maintaining 6 high schoo ls located in far flung areas serving for free to students who are mainly kids of farmers. They also have 1 home for the aged and they are helping the mothers to earn money by making handicrafts and selling them in the malls.
Breakfast Meeting With Mayor Rolando Carpio

Breakfast Meeting With Mayor Rolando Carpio

Courtesy Call With Governor Paul Daza

Courtesy Call With Governor Paul Daza

We  had a breakfast meeting with the Mayor of Catarman, Hon. Rolando Carpio, who is luckily the son of the NGO Head. We were assured of the political support for the proposed grassroots project in the area. We also had a meeting with Northern Samar Governor Paul Daza together with the Municipal Health Officer Dr. Cathy Miral. Gov. Daza was very enthusiastic about schistosomiasis, learning it was the number 4 leading cause of morbidity in the area with 63 deaths last year, mostly cerebral schistosomiasis. The governor also promised a support for the project, while coordination with the provincial health office was established through Dr. Miral.

Visit at the Department of Science and Technology

Visit at the Department of Science and Technology

We also visited the Department of Science and Technology representative in Samar for possible research fundings that may involve schistosomiasis and will also ensure sustainability of the project.

Proposed Central Station at Barangay Dalakit

Proposed Central Station at Barangay Dalakit

Satellite Station

Proposed Satellite Station

We visited the site proposed to be the central station and one of the three satellite stations located inside the CAPO Foundation high schools. These stations are strategically located since they are placed in areas with high endemicity for schistosomiasis. The infrastructures are already there and it just needs improvement and equipment to provide diagnosis for schistosomiasis among the farmers.

09　月 29　日

Early in the morning, we left Catarman and headed back to Manila. We had a meeting with the Japanese Embassy Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects. I presented the updates to the panel and they ask several queries to us about the project focusing on the background, procedures and sustainability of the project. I think we answered precisely and concisely to all their inquiries and I think they were satisfied based on their positive reactions.