JVR Wants More Birthing Homes in Talisay

Because it is already prohibited to give birth inside a house, Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. de los Reyes wants to build more birthing centers in the city.

“Sa hinay-hinay, atong plano nga ang kada barangay sa dakbayan sa Talisay anaa na’y mga birthing center para dili na kinahanglan pa mogasto ang usa ka inahan inig panganak,”said de los Reyes.

De los Reyes recently donated P250,000 to barangay San Roque for its birthing rooms which are scheduled to be constructed this year. The first-term mayor said it is for expectant mothers, specially those from the marginalized sector.

He related an incident wherein a mother from barangay Lawaan I died shortly after giving birth to a triplet. He said he believed the mother would have lived had she had the means to pay for a decent delivery services.

“Luoy lang no, kay ang pobre kung maospital unya way kwarta, 50-50 gyud. Mao na’ng paningkamutan nato nga ang mga taga Talisay nga kabus dili na kinahanglan pa modagan sa Cebu City para lang magpatambal kay naa naman unya ta puhon. Kung maluoy ang Ginoo,” he said.

In 2009, the City Council approved a local ordinance banning child birth inside residential houses. The ordinance was authored by former Councilor Shirley Belleza. The city then hired additional midwives and assigned them to rural health units and barangay health centers.