E. Visayas lauds South Korea-backed P100-M maternal health program

TACLOBAN CITY — Local government units (LGUs) across Eastern Visayas have welcomed the expansion of a P100-million maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) program funded by the South Korean government through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), saying it will help reduce maternal and infant deaths in some of the region’s poorest and most isolated communities.

The five-year program, which runs until 2030, is being implemented by World Vision Philippines in partnership with the Department of Health, provincial and municipal governments, and other local stakeholders.

The expansion comes as Eastern Visayas continues to face maternal and child health challenges.

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READ: PH maternal mortality declines, but still short of SDG target

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Maternal, infant deaths

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Gender Watch 2025 reported that the region posted a maternal mortality ratio of 57 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024, while 13 newborns died for every 1,000 live births.

Over the past month, KOICA and World Vision signed separate agreements with Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Samar, and Southern Leyte, while Tacloban City and Ormoc City also joined the regional initiative.

In Eastern Samar, the agreement was signed on July 10 in Borongan City, which covers Jipapad, Maslog, and Giporlos. The second phase builds on the project’s first phase, launched in 2021 in Taft, Dolores, Quinapondan, and General MacArthur.

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The program will improve prenatal, childbirth, postnatal, and child healthcare services by strengthening referral systems, upgrading health facilities, training healthcare workers, and promoting safe pregnancy and newborn care.

Expanded program

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World Vision Korea Project Director Jihwan Jeon said KOICA expanded the program after the positive results of the first phase.

“The government of South Korea, through KOICA, selected Eastern Visayas to help address its high level of maternal deaths and teenage pregnancy,” Jeon said.

World Vision-KOICA MNCH Project Manager Romil Jeffrey Juson said the second phase aims to sustain the gains of the initial program by strengthening the region’s healthcare referral network.

“By strengthening this network, we bridge gaps, streamline services, and build a localized healthcare ecosystem that can withstand future challenges independently,” Juson said.

READ: PH goal: Reduce maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030

Eastern Samar Vice Gov. Maria Caridad Sison-Goteesan thanked KOICA and World Vision for their continued investment in the province’s healthcare sector.

“We have long been ranked among the country’s poorest provinces, but with the continued support of KOICA and World Vision, we are confident that we can reach those who have remained underserved and provide them with the healthcare they deserve,” she said.

The regional expansion also covers Pinabacdao, Talalora, and San Jose de Buan in Samar and Biri, Gamay, and Mapanas in Northern Samar.

Training barangay health workers

The project also includes training barangay health workers under the Timed and Targeted Care for Families (ttCF) strategy, which involves regular home visits to pregnant women and families with newborns to detect health risks early and encourage facility-based deliveries.

Northern Samar Board Member Dexter Galit said the partnership reflects the shared commitment of KOICA and local governments to improve maternal healthcare in underserved communities.

“Our shared commitment is to ensure that mothers, newborns, and families have access to quality healthcare services,” Galit said.

Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan likewise pledged the provincial government’s full support.

“Rest assured that the fund for this project will be utilized accordingly,” Tan said.

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Officials said the expanded program is expected to strengthen healthcare services in remote communities and help ensure safer pregnancies and healthier beginnings for mothers and children across Eastern Visayas./coa