When I first arrived in Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao, I was amazed by its pristine waters and majestic mountains. It was exhilarating for me since I am an outdoor person and love to go mountain climbing. As days went by and my euphoria subsided, I found out that the health situation here is far more difficult than I have imagined.
This is a sixth-class municipality and all 13 barangays are considered Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). There was no cellphone signal at that time and electricity was erratic. The main form of transportation is through motorized pump boats, even though it is still connected to the mainland. Other areas can be accessed by a single motorcycle coming from the opposite municipalities where it needs to pass through dangerous paths and cliffs.
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