Columbio, Sultan Kudarat — Liza Dabi of Barangay Datalblao in Columbio, Sultan Kudarat, has found her life’s passion in serving her community as a health worker.
The 50-year-old health worker started volunteering in their barangay health center in 1993, back when she still has one child. Now a mother of five, her devotion to look after the health and welfare of her community after 32 years, has remained steadfast.
“Nagsimula ako noon, walang sahod o allowance, pero okay lang sa akin dahil sa kagustuhan kong makatulong sa aking mga kababayan,” Liza shared.
Liza also recalled numerous challenges she faced, especially during her early years as health worker serving far-flung communities.
“Mahirap talaga noon. Malalayo ang mga sitio, pero kailangan mo talagang puntahan sila, para maka-avail din sila ng serbisyo ng barangay. Lalo na sa mga pasyente, sa gamot talaga. Kulang-kulang pa ang pondo,” Liza shared.
With its commitment to advance the socio-economic developments of its host community, Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) has allotted P800,000 annually, under its Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), to augment the allowance of Liza and 36 other health workers of the barangay.
Liza, and her fellow frontline health workers are now receiving P2,000 monthly allowance from SMI!
“Sa tagal ko na pagserbisyo dito sa barangay hindi ako nakakatanggap na allowance, pero pagdating ng SMI, nakatanggap na kami. Kaming lahat, SMI ang nagpapasahod sa amin. Buwanan naming natanggap,” Liza happily shared.
Aside from the salary of health workers, SMI also allotted P100,000 every year for the provision of medicines for the health center. These funds are part of the barangay’s P3-million annual share from the mining firm’s SDMP commitment.
The Municipality of Columbio is one of the neighboring communities of the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project – an SMI-National Government partnership project.
“Para sa amin, malaking bagay iyan, bilang pagkilala ng barangay at kompaniya sa among sakripisyo at serbisyo,” Liza added, as she also expressed gratitude to the mining firm for continually helping her community.
“Maraming salamat sa partnership SMI! Talagang lubos kaming nagpapasalamat sa malaking tulong ninyo sa aming barangay!,” Barangay Health Worker Liza Dabi said. (30)
