family health in mindanao

The United States government has finalized its assistance to Mindanao by pouring in some grants to fund health projects to be undertaken by selected business organizations.

The forging of partnership was formalized with the signing of memorandum of agreement (MOA) between USAID and six business organizations for the improvement of women and child health services in the workplace.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Kristie A. Kenney signed Friday partnership agreements with the representatives of partner business organizations here.

Kenney, in her brief remarks, said the signing of the agreement is the best way to celebrate Fil-Am Friendship Day which they commemorate every July 4th.

The agreement she said is to undertake projects that will offer good health to people.

About P8.6 million was released through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) which project was undertaken in coordination with the Private Sector Mobilization (PRISM).

PRISM is a five-year project aimed at increasing private sector participation in the provision of family planning and maternal and child health (FP/MCH) services.

The project would be implemented by the private sector particularly in the workplace, the pharmaceutical industry, and among private health providers.

The six business organizations are the Mindanao Business Council, the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., the General Santos City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PhilExport-XII, the Molave Development Foundation, and the Philippine Federation of Credit Cooperatives-Mindanao League.

Kenney noted the strong dynamism and the potentials around Mindanao and their reason for supporting the island is for them to help the citizens of Mindanao benefit from what the island has earned.

She said health matters to every people even as she said that people participate and benefit on the gains of Mindanao as development starts with each individual's good health.

Together with the Ambassador during the MOA signing ceremony were Hon. Darlene A. Custodio, Representative, South Cotabato, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Nemesio Gako, PRISM chief of party Tennyson Levy, USAID-OH Chief Aye Aye Thwin, CTO, USAID Charito Redoblaco, Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Ubial, region director DOH Davao other government and private sector officials.

The event is also being coordinated by the Growth with Equity in Mindanao (GEM). (PNA)