Balilihan 2004 - LGRC DILG 10

Summary
Under the local governance system, puroks are sub-units of the barangay, which
is the basic political unit of the government. Traditionally, however, puroks are
no more than loose geographical groupings of households within the barangays,
with little political or social function.
In Balilihan, Bohol, the lowly “purok” has been transformed into a powerful tool for
community mobilization and action, particularly
in the area of primary health care.
In 1998, then newly-elected Mayor Edgar Chatto
saw the potential of harnessing puroks as a main
force for the delivery of primary health care
services. Mayor Chatto launched the Balilihan
Countryside Action Program (CAP) with the aim
of mobilizing and organizing local government,
rural health units, health personnel and local
residents towards the more effective delivery of
basic services.
“PUROK POWER”
FOR PRIMARY
HEALTH CARE
Balilihan Countryside
Action Program
Balilihan, Bohol
The program had two core strategies:
1) capacity building at the municipal and barangay levels through training, to strengthen
such structures as the Municipal Development Council, the Municipal Council, the
Barangay Development Council, and
2) mobilizing and organizing households into puroks or health zones that would then
identify problems and needs, formulate actions and undertake programs at the purok
level.
Today, a total of 186 puroks have been established in the 31 barangays of Balilihan, with
1,302 sectoral volunteers organized and acting as a semi-autonomous extensions of the
local government. Some 50% of the population actively participates in purok activities,
including livelihood projects, health care services, feeding programs, vegetable and
herbal gardens. Various infrastructure projects have been undertaken, accessed by the
puroks themselves from the national line agencies through the support of the municipal
government. Most importantly, Balilihan has been able to meet 95% of its health and
nutrition targets.
In 1997, the municipal government of Balilihan approved an ordinance institutionalizing
the purok system in every barangay, thus ensuring its sustainability.
5