Japan ODA 60th Anniversary

JICA supports health projects for Cordillerans

Khaleila Daine Luyaben, Tabuk City National High School

Japan International Cooperation Agency also known as JICA is an international independent government agency. JICA's mission statement reads: "We, as a bridge between the people of Japan and developing countries, will advance international cooperation through the sharing of knowledge and experience and will work to build a more peaceful and prosperous world." Just reading it gives us the idea of this agency. One of their main objectives is to help and assist developing countries in terms of uplifting their economic and social conditions to strengthen Japan's ties with these countries, which includes the Philippines.

The inclusion of the Philippines in the JICA's programs to alleviate the existing conditions in impoverished communities, especially in the far-flung areas, is truly a privilege worth praising. In the Cordilleras alone, a lot of health providers are benefitting much and are now better-equipped to reach out to my fellow Cordillerans to promote health services even to remote areas. The organization also helps fund the coffee industry in the region which is the main source of local produce in many provinces in the region.

Before, the Cordillerans have given birth at home where they have these "traditional native midwives" who may or may not be available given the distances between villages. It so happens not all villages have a native midwife. There are others who deliver with the help of their relatives who make themselves available when someone is about to give birth. They call this method as "hilot". Some also give birth by themselves, with their husband out in the fields. At the ancestral native villages, some women are designated to serve the community by helping others in giving birth. In terms of curing the sick, they have their own traditions and beliefs that pass off for medication. For a long-drawn-out illness, a medium is called to assess the liver of the sacrificial animal. The following night, the men will assemble, dancing the salisid and play the tungatong, for the conciliation of the spirits. Before the healing rite or "dawak", the house is ornamented with ferns in its four corners. Animals are butchered for sacrifice. If the healing is not successful, a herbalist, nabdadagop, is called with his preparation of plants that are administered to the patient. Many of the native Kalinga villagers have lived with these customs and practices for so long that it was hard for them to adapt with the new ways. Steeped in their native traditions as they are, they might have been reluctant to seek for medical attention from trained health professionals. Not only this, but they are also going through a chronic financial crisis, so they would rather keep to their old ways. As a consequence, maternal morbidity and mortality is at a very high rate.

When JICA's project Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health and Nutrition project was implemented, the health status of the Cordillerans have improved. Almost all accept medical assistance. They are now aware of the services offered in their community. The "traditional midwives" are now sued if they help in delivering birth without professional assistance.

With JICA's help, maternal mortality and morbidity rate has been significantly lessened because of the MNCHN strategy. This has a very big impact to communities aside from the assurance of safer delivery of babies. They say that education begins at home. Mothers are the first teachers to their own children. Without the assistance of mothers to their kids, it will be hard for them to learn at school. They also will have a hard time adapting with the community. To a child, family and home gives them the feeling of belongingness and comfort. Without the mother, a child cannot feel the warmth of home. Thus, if we truly desire a strong community people with strong, capable and responsible citizens, we need to take better care of our mothers. Truly, each mother is a vital human resource.

The agency also helps fund the coffee industry in the region. The coffee industry is one of the main sources of local livelihood in almost all of the provinces in the region. Trainings, seminars, technical know-how, and others have been introduced to be able to help increase production and sales of ground coffee. The objective of meeting the forty-percent increase is a big step in reaching the market globally. This will benefit the people because, nowadays, people especially here at the region make coffee as their preferred morning beverage. This also helps the locals improve their living conditions and helps them to become independent in creating valuable ways to help the community and themselves, too. What a great opportunity for us, Cordillerans, to have this privilege!

Coffee can also improve energy levels and can make us smarter. Coffee contains caffeine that blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain which leads to a stimulant effect that improves the energy and function of the brain. It also has essential nutrients: a single cup of coffee already has eleven percent Riboflavin, six percent Vitamin B5, three percent Manganese and Potassium, and two percent Magnesium and Niacin. Without the coffee development project, people will have to buy coffee that is more expensive and less nutritious than the coffee produced within the region.

As a young citizen and a student, I can engage in promoting awareness and appreciation of existing Japan International Cooperation Agency's projects in our region by providing information about health-related topics. I also should be aware of what they're advocating. Also I can be into voluntary services. I will immerse myself to what I've come up on these projects, live with it in order to practice it and for the future generation to see what it advocates. Information dissemination is also important to reach other people and let them know how important it is. Involvement is the key.