Halad sa Kababayen-an gives free services to women

AROUND 500 women and children from urban poor communities availed of the free services from Halad sa Kababayen-an 2012 of the University of the Philippines Cebu Gender and Development Office, Women’s Resource Center of Visayas and Gabriela-Cebu last March 30.

Residents of barangays Pasil, Ermita, Inayawan and Hipodromo in Cebu City, Mandaue City and Minglanilla town in southern Cebu received medical services like Pap smear, breast examination, IUD insertion, psychological counseling, government services and lectures on various topics that included vasectomy.

There was also Fair Trade Shop that showcased various products.

“Since March is Women’s Month, we would like to offer them these services for free,” said Dr. Leny Ocasiones, chairperson of Gabriela-Cebu and overall coordinator of the activity.

Kei Valmoria, spokesperson of Gabriela-Cebu, said “Our main target of this activity are the women from the urban poor as they don’t have health budget for themselves. Their extra money is already set aside for their children.”

Halad sa Kababayen-an started in 2010. Organizers are planning to make the halad an annual event with more services to offer.

Institutions that rendered free services were Sidlak Gender Resource Center, Legal Alternatives for Women Inc., Visayas Primary Health Care, Marie Stopes Clinic, University of San Carlos Psychology Department, Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Visayas Community Hospital, PhilHealth, National Statistics Office and the Department of Foreign Affairs. /UP Masscom student Alya Simone Mongaya