Metropolitan Arrangements - Philippine Institute for Development ...

CaseStudy:Surigao City's PHC Federated Women's Club 361
Botika
sa Binhi
The members set up a main pharmacy and buy medicines
directly from manufacturers. Smaller pharmacies may also be put up
in barangays or even in pur0ks.
Mortuary fund and reed/ca//oan fund
Members pay a fixed annual contribution. In return, they can
avail of mortuary assistance and borrow for hospitalization and
outpatient needs. Any excess from the mortuary fund at yearend would
be added to the medical loan fund.
Annual awards for outstanding clubs and members
The criteria used by the Surigao PHC may be adopted while
prizes would depend on the city's financial capability.
A replicating city should guard the program against any form
of politics. This is another lesson from the Surigao City experience.
When the city first organized a mothers' club in 1976, it was meant to
help promote proper health practices at the barangay level.
Unfortunately, the CHO lost its control over the program when some
politicians started using it for their own political agenda.
Conclusion
"Health in the hands of the people" is the PHC members'
battlecry. They believe that the health of the people and of the nation
is possible onlywhen everybody works for it. Thus, through the PHC,
Surigao City succeeded in making health everybody's concern. Starting
initially with an activity that involved mothers only, the PHC now taps
the contribution of all members of the family. In turn, it benefits not
only its members but the whole population of Surigao City as well.
The Federated Primary Health Care project of Surigao City is
something that the Surigaonons are proud of. According to the PHC
members, the program has been adopted in Quezon province, La
Union, and neighboring provinces in Region 10. A similar project in
the province of Surigao Norte called the Partnership for Community
Health Development (PCHD) was also started in 1991. All these prove
that the PHC program can indeed be replicated in other cities and
LGUs.