The Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, through the Provincial Health Office (PHO), marked the National Safe Motherhood Week with a full-day celebration on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Fuerte CamSur Sport Complex, Cadlan, Pili. With the theme “Kalidad na pangangalaga sa Ina, Kalusugan ng sanggol may garantiya,” the event gathered hundreds of pregnant women from the municipalities of Pili, Ocampo, Minalabac, Milaor, and Baao.
Under Governor Luis Raymund “Lray” F. Villafuerte, Jr., the celebration reflected the Provincial Government’s commitment to bringing essential maternal and child health services closer to the communities that need them most — at no cost to the beneficiaries.
A wide range of free medical services was made available to all participants, including PhilHealth Yakap registration, prenatal checkups, dental services, ultrasound, laboratory tests, medicines, and prenatal vitamins. The Department of Health (DOH) also distributed Buntis and Newborn Kits containing maternity pads, hygiene products, and basic newborn clothing to attendees.
Beyond clinical care, the event featured health education booths covering HIV testing and counseling, newborn and hearing screening awareness, family planning, infant immunization, and oral health, ensuring that mothers went home not only healthier, but better informed.
Gina Acabado, 21, a first-time mother from Hibago, Ocampo, is eight months along and due at the end of May. She availed of the free ultrasound, laboratory tests, prenatal checkup, and supplements — all services she would otherwise have had to pay for out of pocket.
“Tig-avail ko ining libreng ultrasound, laboratory, supplements, and checkup ta si igagastos ko para digdi, idagdag ko na lang para sa pag-aki ko. Dakulaon pong tabang ini para sako ini,” shared Acabado.
More than the free services, Acabado said the health education sessions proved equally valuable, especially because she had never gone through a pregnancy before.
“Dakulang tabang niya para sa mga bados na arog ko, [lalo na su] mga ideas kung pano ako magdara kang baby. Arog ko na first time mom, first baby ko, kumbaga natawan akong idea kung pano ko siya safe na maidara sa tulak ko, kung pano ko siya safe na mailuwas, and pano ko siya mapapadakula,”she added.
The National Safe Motherhood Week is observed annually in the Philippines to raise awareness on maternal and newborn health and to reduce preventable deaths among mothers and infants. This year’s celebration underscores the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur’s push to bring health services directly to communities, particularly to those with limited access to medical facilities.
