TACLOBAN CITY — Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte along with residents of government-run care facilities, will now have access to livelihood support under a new reintegration program launched by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The initiative, implemented through the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), aims to provide skills training, start-up capital, and capability-building activities to help beneficiaries develop income sources while inside the facility and after their release.
The program is part of its broader strategy to promote rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of reoffending by strengthening the economic capacity of participants.
It is being carried out in partnership with the Leyte Regional Prison, with officials emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts in implementing livelihood activities within a secure correctional environment.

Acting Deputy Superintendent for Reformation Corrections Officer 2 Noli Ann Billo said sustained inter-agency cooperation is essential to ensure continuous support for rehabilitation programs and successful reintegration into society.

Program discussions also tackled security protocols, access to training materials, and mechanisms to ensure that assistance continues even after PDLs complete their sentences.
Officials said the initiative builds on preparatory activities conducted from 2024 to 2025, including consultations, agreements, and facility inspections, which paved the way for its rollout this year.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY — Patients with kidney disease in Samar now have improved access to life-saving treatment following the opening of a new dialysis center at the Samar Provincial Hospital on March 18.

The facility aims to address the growing number of patients requiring regular hemodialysis by bringing services closer to communities that previously had to travel to distant hospitals for treatment.

Governor Sharee Ann Tan said the project is intended to save lives and ease the burden on families, stressing that quality and compassionate care remain central to the province’s health services.

“I hope these machines will save many lives and help more families through this dialysis center,” Tan said in Waray, emphasizing the importance of accessible healthcare.
Hospital Chief Dr. Jansenn Mutya said the center is a major addition to the province’s health system, noting that dialysis serves as a critical, long-term treatment for patients with chronic kidney failure.

The facility is equipped with 15 dialysis machines and can accommodate up to 30 patients per day through two shifts, with expansion plans depending on demand.

Services, including dialysis sessions, laboratory tests, medications, and related care, are available free of charge through the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and the Medical Assistance for Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) program.

Patients may schedule or walk in for assessment, provided they present required medical documents such as prescriptions, laboratory results, referral letters, and recent dialysis records. Additional tests, including blood work, hepatitis screening, X-ray, and ECG, are also required for proper evaluation.

Officials said the new facility reflects the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to specialized medical services in Samar.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)