No mother left behind: Butuan’s halfway houses strengthen maternal healthcare
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
Imagine a mother in labor being transported on horseback, enduring hours of travel on rough and tricky roads, expecting to deliver her baby safely.
For many pregnant women living in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) in Butuan City, the imaginary scene has long been a harsh reality. Access to health facilities remains a challenge, especially for mothers residing in remote ‘sitio’ or far-flung areas where transportation is either limited or nonexistent.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, Doctor Teresita Helen V. Makiling, head of the City Health Department (CHD), shared that pregnant mothers nearing childbirth in far-flung communities often face difficulties reaching health facilities, putting both the mother and child at risk.
In response, the city government of Butuan, in partnership with barangay local government units (BLGUs), established halfway houses in 2024 as part of the city’s maternal health program. This has been one of the city’s best practices in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s healthcare agenda.
The halfway houses serve as temporary shelters for pregnant women who are already in the final weeks or last month of pregnancy. These facilities are for mothers awaiting delivery in remote communities and sitio barangays that are difficult to access through regular transportation.
“The barangay health workers who regularly monitor these mothers advise and strongly encourage them to temporarily stay in the halfway house so that once labor begins, they are already near a birthing facility or can easily be referred to a primary health care,” Makiling explained.
“This ensures the safety of both the mother and baby and helps prevent maternal deaths,” she added.
Beyond providing temporary shelter, the initiative offers expectant mothers peace of mind, knowing that medical assistance is within reach during one of the most critical moments of pregnancy.
Lovely Cuenca-Plaza, head of the Programs Development Section, shared that the city currently operates two halfway houses located in Barangays San Mateo and Maguinda. However, the department hopes that more barangays will replicate the initiative to extend support to more mothers in need.
In Barangay San Mateo alone, at least four pregnant mothers have benefited from the halfway house since its establishment, accessing free maternal health services.
The initiative reflects the city government’s continuing commitment to ensuring that no mother is left behind, regardless of distance or circumstance. Through accessible maternal care and community-based support, Butuan City continues to strengthen its efforts toward safer pregnancies and deliveries for healthier communities. (MFC, PIA Caraga)