ILOILO – The Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) has confirmed the temporary suspension of all health activities in the province funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), following an official notification received last week. This move comes after a directive from maverick US President Donald Trump.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the IPHO, said several health projects in Iloilo, particularly the USAID-funded Support for Wide-scale Interventions to Find TB (SWIF-TB) project, are now on hold.
USAID is an independent agency of the United States government that is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.
Last month, the Trump administration announced sweeping changes to USAID. It ordered a near-total freeze on all foreign aid, with the Department of Government Efficiency announcing the intention of shutting down USAID.
Iloilo’s SWIF-TB project was set to receive a $250,000 grant from USAID, which would have been disbursed directly from the USAID Washington Office in phases.
“The SWIF-TB project aims to enhance TB prevention, diagnosis, and management to reduce TB-related deaths in Iloilo,” said Quiñon.
The initiative sought to strengthen TB human resources, support policy development, and introduce TB Preventive Therapy for close contacts.
Additionally, it planned to expand free x-ray services to underserved communities and ensure diagnosed TB patients receive free treatment and follow-up care.
The project, which was slated for a three-to-five-year implementation, would have brought much-needed resources to combat the province’s TB crisis. However, following the suspension, critical activities such as the hiring of additional health personnel, the deployment of mobile x-ray services, and engagement with community TB stakeholders are now indefinitely delayed.
Despite the setback, Quiñon assured that Iloilo’s TB program will continue without interruption.
She emphasized that the province’s TB management efforts are fully integrated into the regular health programs of the provincial government and local government units (LGUs).
Moreover, local partnerships, such as with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), continue to provide free mobile x-ray screenings and support TB service provider training, she added.
The Department of Health (DOH) has also maintained its commitment to providing technical assistance, capacity-building, health promotion, and TB medications.
“While this suspension presents a major challenge, our dedication to public health remains unwavering,” Quiñon added.
“USAID’s contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on the health and well-being of Ilonggos, and we fervently hope that the U.S. government will reconsider and allow the continued implementation of these life-saving projects,” Quiñon said.
USAID: A Key Partner in Iloilo’s Health Initiatives
Quiñon acknowledged the significant role USAID has played in advancing various health programs in Iloilo, particularly through the ReachHealth Project, which concluded in 2023.
The collaboration has led to notable achievements, especially in Family Planning.
In 2023, Iloilo surpassed the national target for Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR), reaching 35%, thanks to USAID’s support.
This success was attributed to capacity-building for Family Planning providers, logistical support for Family Planning Days, and the distribution of Social and Behavioral Change materials.
USAID also played a vital role in the establishment of Iloilo’s first Family Planning Training Center, which is recognized by the DOH. Over 200 Family Planning providers have been trained, ensuring long-term sustainability through well-structured operations manuals developed with USAID’s assistance.
Additionally, USAID supported the “Project Tib-ong Kabataan”, a collaborative initiative that helped reduce teenage pregnancy rates and suicide cases in Iloilo.
The project, co-developed with the Philippine Red Cross and DepEd, was recognized nationally in September 2024 as a best practice.
Through these efforts, all 43 LGUs in Iloilo have received Adolescent-Friendly Health Facility Certification, with four achieving Level 2 certification from the DOH.
“We hope that USAID’s support will resume soon, as the health and welfare of Ilonggos are at the heart of these efforts,” Quiñon said./PN
