Community-Based Health Care Program - Malaria Control Project

Donors: Embassy of Japan, Aldaba-Lim Foundation, Inc., Local governments of Barangay Aberawan and Diapila, Mr. Fedirico Lagrada Jardin

Location: Municipality of El Nido

Duration: March 2001 to April 2002

The Malaria Control Project (MCP) is the centerpiece of a comprehensive Community-based Health Care Program (CBHP) which is a collaboration among ENF, the municipal government of El Nido through its Rural Health Unit, and other partners. As a result of the interventions, the incaidence of malaria in the municipality has dropped from a high of 1,219 cases reported in 2000 to 3 cases in 2021.

Activities include a mass information campaign promoting the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets as a safe, effective and affordable way to prevent the spread of the disease. A highlight of this campaign is the Pista ng Kulambo sa El Nido, which from its inception in 1999 has evolved into a yearly tradition much anticipated by the entire municipality. Simultaneously held with the Pista are the Gawad Pangkaunlaran, an awards competition among the 18 barangays recognizing their year-round efforts towards sustainable development; and the Tarabuan sa Caayadan, a trade fair where barangays get to showcase their respective home-grown talents and products.

Largely through its involvement in malaria control in El Nido which is considered a “best practice” in community engagement in primary health care, El Nido Foundation was elected in 2012 as Private Sector representative to the Global Fund (to Fight Aids, TB, Malaria) – Philippine Country Coordinating Mechanism (PCCM), which is mandated to oversee concept note development, proposal review, project implementation and monitoring of Global Fund projects in the Philippines.

Pista ng Kulambo at Tarabuan sa Caayadan