REACH

A personnel from the rural health unit of Datu Hoffer Ampatuan municipalityin Maguindanao prepares a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. (Photo: Manman Dejeto/Oxfam Pilipinas)

Stamping out COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in Maguindanao’s last mile communities

Ranila Moctal had just given birth to her third child when she contracted the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) about two years ago. After six days in the COVID-19 isolation center, she tested negative and was allowed to undergo home quarantine.

Naima Lendengan, wife of Sandiale Guiamanda, safe keeps the birth certificates of her whole family which they were able to acquire for free through the assistance of project officers of the REACH Project legal missions. (Photo: Manman Dejeto/Oxfam Pilipinas)

Birth certificates provide beacon of hope for conflict-torn villagers in Maguindanao

Sandiale Guiamandal heaved a huge sigh of relief after receiving a Manila envelope hand-delivered to their community composed of bakwits or internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the village of Pandi, Datu Salibo town. Finally, after 46 years, he got his birth certificate just this year.