Provincial Health Office Davao Oriental

02/12/2025

24 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙤 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙃𝙄𝙑 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙤 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝘼𝙄𝘿𝙎 𝘿𝙖𝙮

In line with the observance of World AIDS Day, the Provincial Health Office of Davao Oriental, in collaboration with Mati Doctors Academy, Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, Provincial DOH Office, City Health Office and the support of the Davao Center for Health Development, held an HIV awareness activity yesterday that highlighted the importance of early detection, proper information, and stigma-free conversations.

A total of 24 individuals availed of the free HIV counseling and testing, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the city. Several health officials also took the test themselves, setting an example of good health practices and responsible health-seeking behavior.

The activity featured discussions on the current HIV/AIDS situation, HIV 101, and RA 11166, along with an open forum and a personal testimony from a person living with HIV — a reminder that real stories are at the heart of this advocacy.

Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo, PHO II and Chief of Hospital of DOPMC, encouraged the public to get tested early, noting that early detection leads to early treatment and better outcomes.

According to the Provincial HIV Program Manager, Mr. Mark Jade dela Cruz, this call is especially important as recent data show that 309 individuals in Davao Oriental have tested positive for HIV, a number that continues to push local agencies to strengthen awareness efforts.

With this year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” the province continues to promote understanding, compassion, and timely access to health services — proving that collective action remains key in ending stigma and protecting communities.

28/11/2025

𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐠-𝐨𝐧, 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐎𝐧: 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬

Usa ka gatus ka healthcare worker ang naghunahuna, naghinumdom, ug nag-atiman sa ilang kaugalingon atol sa pilot program nga Kalig-On, nga gilunsad niadtong Nobyembre 28, 2025, sa Dakbayan sa Mati, Davao Oriental, aron suportahan ang mga naapektuhan sa doublet earthquake sa probinsya.

Ang programa nagtutok sa mental health support, resilience, ug coping strategies para sa mga nurses, doktor, ug hospital staff, ingon man sa pag-ila sa emosyonal ug sikolohikal nga karga nga ilang gidala isip mga frontline responders. Apil usab sa kalihokan ang psychological first aid, resilience exercises, ug modules sa personal strength, emotional balance, teamwork, ug goal setting, aron matabangan ang mga partisipante nga molig-on ug makamao sa pag-atiman sa ilang kaugalingon ug sa uban.

Gidumala sa Davao Oriental State University, ang programa kauban ang Provincial Health Office, Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center, Selah: Davao Oriental Mental Wellness Hub, Diocese of Mati–Commission on Health, St. Camillus Hospital of Mati, Inc., ug Doctors Without Borders. Ang mga partisipante naglakip sa healthcare workers gikan sa PHO, DOPMC, St. Camillus Hospital, Inc., ug DOPH-Lupon.

Gipalig-on pa gyud ang programa pinaagi sa bag-ong kolaborasyon sa ABS-CBN Foundation–Sagip Kapamilya, nga gitambungan mismo sa program head niini nga si Mr. Marcel R. Riñon, nga nagtanyag og go bags nga puno sa comfort items, herbal tea, ug stress-relief tools isip pasalamat sa walay puas nga serbisyo sa mga healthcare worker.

Gilauman sa mga organizers nga pinaagi sa Kalig-On, ang mga partisipante makakaplag og kalinaw sa kaugalingon ug kusog para sa uban.

27/11/2025

𝙋𝙃𝙊 𝘿𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙤 𝙊𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙬𝙤-𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Davao Oriental
conducted a two-day women’s welfare initiative in Cateel and Baganga on November 27–28, 2025, as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebration.

In Cateel, the PHO team provided Breast Examinations and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) to 100 women. Today, in Baganga, 300 women received Breast Exams, VIA, and Pap Smear services to strengthen early detection efforts for breast and cervical cancer.

The activity also featured important health learning sessions. Ms. Princess Melvick Libre, RN, Provincial NCD Program Manager, delivered a lecture on Clinical Breast Examination and Cervical Cancer. This was followed by a Mental Health Talk by Mr. Rezmarquel Pann, Provincial Mental Health Program Manager, emphasizing the importance of well-being alongside physical health.

The initiative was carried out under the direction of Provincial Health Officer II, Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo, with strong support from the Department of Health.

The PHO also expresses its gratitude to the LGUs for their cooperation—Cateel MHO Dr. Ofel Joy Faith Lupogan and coordinator Christine Morales, RN, as well as Baganga MHO Dr. Violeta Morales and coordinators Dr. Hannah Jane Gerona–Monday and Marroja Mata, RN.

Through these efforts, the province continues to promote women’s health by making screening and health education more accessible to communities across Davao Oriental.

10/11/2025

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞

The Provincial Government of Davao Oriental was honored by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) Region XI for its steadfast partnership and commitment to advancing the goals of Universal Health Care during the Handog Pasasalamat 2025 held on November 7, 2025, at the Apo View Hotel, Davao City.

Represented by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo on behalf of Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, the Province of Davao Oriental received the award through its flagship initiative, the Nagkakaisang Lingkod Bayan–Barangay Outreach Caravan (NLD–BOC). PhilHealth Region XI lauded Davao Oriental for its “𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻” in promoting the principles of Universal Health Care and ensuring that quality health services reach those who need them most.

Apart from the Provincial Government, the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center–Governor Generoso (DOPMC-GovGen) was also awarded for Excellence in No-Balance Billing, affirming its commitment to providing quality medical services without financial burden to its patients. Meanwhile, the City of Mati was recognized as the Community-Based YAKAP Champion for its exceptional efforts in promoting inclusive and community-centered healthcare programs.

The Provincial Government reaffirmed its commitment to continue working closely with PhilHealth and other health partners toward building a healthier, more inclusive, and compassionate Davao Oriental — where healthcare is not a privilege but a promise fulfilled.

06/11/2025

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 ₱𝟓 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐨 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞

A ₱5 million check from the Ayudang Medikal mula sa Bangsamoro Government (AMBaG) Program was formally turned over today, November 6, 2025, at the Tourism Mansion, Provincial Capitol.

The fund will assist constituents admitted at the Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center (DOPMC) in settling their hospital bills, laboratory fees, and other medical expenses.

Now on its third fund download since 2019, the AMBaG program—implemented through the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and realized in coordination with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (M**F) Eastern Davao Provincial Committee—continues to provide vital healthcare support to Oriental Dabawenyos in need.

This partnership reflects the enduring spirit of unity and shared compassion across regions proving that genuine service knows no boundaries.

31/10/2025

𝐏𝐇𝐎 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐲

The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Davao Oriental, in partnership with CADENA: Community Assistance and Development Agency (Operation Blessing Israel), conducted a field assessment and coordination visit today in Barangay Zaragoza, Manay, in response to the urgent need for safe and reliable water sources following the recent series of earthquakes.

The activity is part of the province’s ongoing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) response, ensuring that affected communities have access to clean and safe drinking water.

In the past days, the team from the Province of Davao del Sur was part of the coordinated efforts; however, the current WASH Team is now composed of Sanitary Inspectors from the municipalities of Lupon, Baganga, and San Isidro.

Three water sources were identified during the assessment: the Tagtalisay spring with a reservoir, the Pugawahan communal faucet (Level II), and the Casauman open and undeveloped spring. The PHO team, together with CADENA, the Municipal Engineer’s Office (MEO), and the Rural Sanitary Inspectors (RSIs) of Manay, conducted a joint inspection of these sites to determine suitable areas for water filtration installation.

Based on the evaluation, CADENA recommended the Casauman spring as the most viable site for filtration installation. To support this, the Municipal Engineer was tasked to prepare a plan for the construction of an intake box to serve as the installation site for the filtration unit. Additionally, one container of Holy Cross chlorine granules was distributed to assist in the barangay’s water chlorination efforts.

The team also conducted courtesy visits with the Municipal Health Officer, the Municipal Mayor, the Office of the Congressman, and Barangay Zaragoza officials to coordinate support and assistance for the planned water filtration system.

CADENA: Community Assistance and Development Agency is an international humanitarian organization dedicated to delivering immediate and long-term aid to disaster-affected areas. Through its partnership with Operation Blessing Israel, CADENA provides life-saving interventions such as food, shelter, medical care, and water filtration systems in times of crisis.
Two of the identified water sources were deemed unsuitable for filtration installation due to their locations on private properties and their distance from nearby households.

This collaborative effort between the PHO and CADENA demonstrates a proactive approach to disaster recovery—ensuring that essential water supply systems are restored and that the health and well-being of affected communities remain protected.

29/10/2025

23/10/2025

𝑷𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒏’𝒔 𝑷𝒖𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑯𝒐𝒑𝒆

In Barangay Pichon, Caraga, where the tremors once stirred fear and uncertainty, the presence of health workers brought comfort, care, and calm to families finding their strength again.

The Department of Health was the first to arrive, offering essential services and support to families in the immediate aftermath, bringing comfort to those still reeling from the impact. Their presence laid the foundation for the continuing relief and recovery efforts in the community.

On October 22, 2025, a team led by the Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), together with the Provincial Health Office, the Philippine Red Cross, and the Province of Davao de Oro, carried forward this mission of care. They attended to 171 residents, provided micronutrient supplements to 105 individuals, and conducted thorough assessments to ensure safe water, sanitation, and living conditions for the community.

Alongside medical support, the team engaged in beneficiary profiling and site assessments for a possible tent city, preparing for ongoing assistance and ensuring that no family would be left behind.

For the people of Pichon, these visits were more than medical missions: they were moments of comfort, of faces seen and voices heard, of healing that went beyond medicine.

As the sun set over Caraga, the pulse of Pichon beat stronger once more—steadied by compassion, strengthened by service, and lifted by the enduring hope of a community rebuilding both its homes and its hearts.

23/10/2025

𝙅𝙐𝙎𝙏 𝙄𝙉:
Selah: Davao Oriental Mental Wellness Hub has been recognized as the Winner of the Liwanag ng Manggagawa (Employee Well-Being Champion) Award at the Philippine Mental Health Association, Inc. (PMHA) Liwanag Awards 2025, held at Seda Vertis North Hotel, Diliman, Quezon City.

Receiving the award are Dr. Reden V. Bersaldo, Provincial Health Officer II and Chief of Hospital, and Dr. Rose Anelyn V. Ceniza, Selah’s Resident Psychologist.

Full details to follow.

23/10/2025

NEWS UPDATE: The Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Davao Oriental has stepped up efforts to address clean water and sanitation concerns after tests showed that water in some areas affected by the recent earthquakes was contaminated and need treatment.

See link to story in the comments.