Residents of this town and the neighboring areas will soon receive free and better health services as officials broke ground for Davao de Oro’s fifth Super Health Center (SHC) in Barangay Binuangan here Thursday.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremony, Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said a total of 322 SHCs are set to be built across the country this year, compared to 307 in 2022.

“There are eight SHCs that will be established here in Davao de Oro,” he said.

Construction of the four other SHCs in the province is ongoing in the towns of Nabunturan, Montevista, Compostela, and Mawab.

Once completed, the SHCs will provide comprehensive basic health services to the people, including the outpatient department, laboratory, X-ray, ultrasound, birthing services, diagnostic, pharmacy, and emergency services.

“Pregnant women here will no longer go to hospitals from neighboring towns. The SHC will also cater birthing services,” Go said.

The PHP11.5-million health facility is funded by the Department of Health (DOH) under its health facility enhancement program.

Other components, particularly the maintenance operation and staffing of the SHCs, will be shouldered by the town government.

Meanwhile, Go also witnessed the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) 11’s (Davao Region) distribution of financial assistance sourced from the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

At least a thousand individuals, consisting of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, solo parents, and marginalized workers received PHP3,000 each.

The senator also distributed bicycles, volleyballs and basketballs, crutches, shoes, mobile tablets, food and grocery packs, vitamins, face masks, and face shields to the beneficiaries. (PNA)