Mothers and children participating in Buntis Congress
Since 2024, The Heart-Heart Foundation Philippines Branch has been implementing
the "Project for Promoting the Rights of the Mangyan People through
Enhanced Maternal and Child Health" in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.
As part of this initiative, the "Buntis Congress" was held on December 3rd
to empower Mangyan mothers to recognize
their rights to safe childbirth and essential healthcare.
This campaign was co-hosted by the Foundation’s Philippines Branch and the Municipal Health Office (MHO),
with a total of 101 Mangyan mothers in attendance.
The Country Director of The Heart-Heart Foundation Philippines Branch
The Mangyan mothers, an indigenous group in the Philippines, live in geographically isolated areas
and face significant barriers to accessing essential healthcare services.
A lack of information regarding prenatal and postnatal care,
along with limited access to health facilities, has frequently led to home births
that put the lives of both mothers and newborns at risk.
To address these challenges, The Heart-Heart Foundation Philippines Branch
has been consistently conducting community awareness campaigns,
empowering mothers to understand the importance of health management
and make safe, informed choices.
As part of these ongoing efforts, we organized the "Buntis Congress,"
a special event that integrates both education and interactive experiences.
A demonstration of nutritious meal preparation
The campaign was designed as a highly interactive program,
ensuring that mothers could enjoyably acquire practical knowledge for their daily lives.
Through professional medical staff, we provided education
on the "First 1,000 Days of Life," prenatal and postnatal care, and breastfeeding techniques.
Furthermore, we shared healthy eating habits through a cooking demonstration of nutritious meals using local ingredients.
Mangyan women participating in games
In addition, participants enjoyed learning health tips
through fun activities like roulette and ring toss games.
We also provided practical support by distributing ‘Maternity Kits‘ containing
essential hygiene products and nutritional supplements.
Furthermore, we reinforced the importance of maternal rights by providing information
on birth registration and the services of the ‘Halfway House‘—a residential facility
where expectant mothers can stay before their due date to prepare for a safe delivery.
Mangyan women participating in games
Through this campaign, mothers came to understand their fundamental rights
during pregnancy and childbirth—including the right to receive health checkups, the right to information,
and the right to welcome their children into the world safely at a healthcare facility.
The education and hands-on activities significantly improved
their knowledge of maternal and child health.
Most importantly, the participants realized the vital importance of giving birth
in a safe medical environment and expressed a strong commitment
to taking charge of their own health.
Furthermore, this event was deeply meaningful as it involved not only the mothers
but also their family members, Barangay Health Workers (BHW), Mangyan volunteers,
and members of the Indigenous Peoples‘ Committee (Katig).
Their active participation will serve as a stepping stone toward building a robust, community-centered support system.
Group photo of participants at the Buntis Congress
The Heart-Heart Foundation Philippines Branch will continue to work closely with
the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and our community partners
to expand maternal and child health support that respects the unique cultural characteristics of the Mangyan people.
We are committed to sparing no effort in ensuring that every mother and child can grow and thrive in a safe and healthy environment.
<The Heart-Heart Foundation Philippines Branch is implementing the "Project for Promoting the Rights of the Mangyan People through Enhanced Maternal and Child Health in Abra de Ilog,
Occidental Mindoro (2024-2026)" as part of the Civil Society Cooperation Program by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).>
