Finally, the DSWD’s Regional Haven at Pawing in Palo, Leyte got half of the proceeds from the “biggest run in the history of Eastern Visayas,” as what PHILHEALTH Regional Vice – President Walter Bacareza described of the PHILHEALTH – DOH run of February 17 of this year, conducted in Tacloban City.

The said nationwide run, expected only some 3,000 runners inthe city, but reached, however, to some 5, 800 in all !

In simple rites organized jointly by the PHILHEALTH and the Regional Haven, Tuesday, June 25,  at the Center,  Assistant Regional Director for Administration, Virginia Idano of the DSWD Field Office Eight,thanked the PHILHEALTH for making one of her agency’s institutions a recipient of the event, the other being the Philippine Children’s Medical Clinic.

Idano further expressed appreciation over PHILHEALTH’s giving priority on women and children’s protection.. The PHILHEALTH regional head stated that it is attuned with one ofthe Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

She revealed that the Php 465, 000.00 donation will be used mainly for medical- related purposes for the Center’s residents.  These include the purchase of a glucometer and portable oxygen tank, among others, the services of an obstetrician/gynecologist and an internist,  and a service vehicle exclusively for the center.

Idano added that part of the fund will also go to the PHILHEALTH membership of the residents during the time of their stay at the Center.  The Regional Haven will ensure that the responsible local government unit will continue with the membership once the resident goes back to their community.

Officer-In-Charge of the Regional Haven,Luz Davis, revealed the difficulties encountered by their facility due to lack of the necessary facilities.  For instance, pregnant women – residents usually labor at night, and having no service vehicle poses a big problem in bringing them to the hospital.

Furthermore,  whenever ailing residents need professional help from a specialist, it takes a very long time, considering the long line of patients availing of free medical attention from a government hospital.

As of to date, the home has 20 women and 18 dependents.

The Regional Haven has been in operation since 1997, and caters to 18 to 59 – year – old women who are victims of violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, illegal recruitment, and armed conflict, or who are abandoned.

The facility provides a wide range of services for the  protection, healing, and recovery of the women, as well as support services like skills trainings and livelihood activities, in preparation for the residents’ reintegration into the family and community.