The municipality of Peñarrubia in Abra is maximizing its Seal of Good Local Governance Incentive Fund (SGLGIF) to upgrade local government services, particularly in healthcare and disaster preparedness.

Jean Smith Hernandez, Peñarrubia’s local government operations officer (LGOO), said the LGU utilized its PHP1.1 million incentive from the 2024 SGLG fund to improve the Rural Health Unit (RHU), directly benefiting residents with enhanced medical services.

“There is a specific menu of eligible programs and projects where the SGLG fund can be used, and Peñarrubia has consistently complied with these for the past six years,” Hernandez said in a phone interview Wednesday.

The SGLGIF is an incentive given to local government units with outstanding practices in good local governance, with Peñarrubia being a consistent awardee.

In previous years, the LGU used the incentives to construct a disaster risk reduction management building, a classroom, a daycare center, and purchase a rescue vehicle.

One of the most impactful additions was a hematology machine now being used at the RHU, she said, adding that residents can now avail of free hematology testing, including complete blood count, platelet count, and hematocrit tests, with faster turnaround time and more accurate results.

Municipal Health Officer Dr. Elsa Gonzales shared that since the machine became operational, at least 92 patients from Peñarrubia and neighboring municipalities have already benefited from the free testing.

“For humanitarian reasons, we also accommodate patients from nearby towns,” she said.

In a private message, Mayor Geraldine Balbuena vowed to continue improving RHU services for Peñarrubia residents and those seeking medical assistance.

She noted that enhancements have been made possible through a combination of local funds and external funding support.

“We have been slowly improving our services using local funds and those sourced from funders in a bid to perform the basic services needed by the patients, also allowing the clients to save on costs,” she said in the vernacular.

The RHU is also a licensed birthing facility for natural births, with cesarean cases referred to hospitals.

It provides mental health counseling, TB DOTS services, and other general health programs.

Balbuena vowed to continue to improve their systems and comply with the SGLG requirements. (PNA)