CATBALOGAN CITY — A renewed international partnership aimed at saving the lives of mothers and newborns has been formalized in Samar, as the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the provincial government of Samar signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the expansion of a major health program targeting maternal and child mortality.
The MOA signing, held on June 23 in Catbalogan City, marked the rollout of Phase 2 of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Project, a five-year initiative implemented by KOICA in partnership with World Vision and local government units.
The event was witnessed by representatives from the pilot municipalities of Pinabacdao, Talalora, and San Jose de Buan, alongside provincial and health officials.
Pinabacdao Mayor Viannery Mabag welcomed her municipality’s inclusion in the second phase, citing rising concerns over teenage pregnancies.
“As of latest data, we have recorded 45 teenage mothers and it’s very alarming. Being a mother is already challenging, how much more as a teenage mother,” Mabag said, noting the heightened risks faced by young mothers, including maternal complications and possible mortality.
Despite the challenges, Mabag expressed optimism that the expanded program would help strengthen local interventions and improve reproductive health awareness among adolescents.
KOICA MNCH Project Director Jihwan Jeon said the continuation of the program reflects the success of its first phase in Eastern Visayas.
“The government of South Korea, through KOICA, selected Eastern Visayas to help address its high level of maternal death and teenage pregnancy,” Jeon said, adding that the region remains an “important partner” in improving health outcomes.
He added that Phase 2 will run for five years, underscoring long-term commitment to strengthening local health systems.
Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan welcomed the initiative, saying the project aligns with the province’s health priorities. She also assured full government support for its implementation.
“Rest assured that the fund for this project will be utilized accordingly,” the governor said.
The Phase 2 MNCH Project, valued at about P100 million, will run from 2026 to 2030. It expands earlier interventions to further improve maternal and child health outcomes, strengthen health literacy, and upgrade referral systems across the province.
Key components include capacity building for barangay health workers and medical personnel, improvement of health facilities, provision of medical supplies and vitamins, and strengthening of emergency referral and disaster response systems.
It also focuses on maternal health education for pregnant and lactating women, alongside improved local health financing mechanisms.
The program is implemented in close coordination with the Department of Health and various local government units in Samar.
Also present during the ceremony were provincial officials and representatives from World Vision, led by project manager Romil Jeffrey Juson.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
