Our first (and only) official Barangay session happened last January 7, 2019 at the barangay hall. Spearheaded by the barangay chairwoman, Hon. Gemma Vallecer, the meeting was attended by the barangay councilors, the barangay police/tanods, the barangay midwife and the local health workers, and the Brgy. Secretary and Treasurer.

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     The key points that were discussed by the barangay officials were, amongst other political issues, the dengue awareness and prevention advocacy, their concerns regarding home based child deliveries. As for the advocacy program, the barangay scheduled it in line with our arrival so that we can help them carry out the program. It was the decided that we will implement it together with our ocular survey.

 

     As for the problem regarding home deliveries, the barangay midwife brought in 4 mothers, with their newborn children, all of which had not given birth at the birthing clinics or at the district hospital. It was then, that we found out that there is an existing municipal ordinance stating that home deliveries is prohibited and is punishable by law through hefty fines, with the first offense amounting to PHP 2500. The chairwoman, understanding the mothers situations, decided against fining these mothers and instead, asked them to do community service for the barangay. She then asked all of us to further disseminate the information regarding the municipal ordinance and informed us that the next cases will be dealt with in accordance to the law.

 

     After the meeting, we introduced ourselves formally to the barangay officials and stated the purpose of our stay in the barangay. They said that in whatever projects that we may propose, they will fully support us as long as it’s for the betterment of everyone in the barangay.

 

     The meeting ended with reassurance, as we got to know more about the current status of the barangay in terms of the politics and the problems that persists and may arise in the future.