DISTANCE is one of the major hurdles that make it difficult for Indigenous people (IP) communities to get the health services that they need. Such is the experience of Datu Edgardo Laygan, an elder leader of the Manobo Tribe based in Marilog District, Davao City.
“Layo kaayo ang balay tambalan gikan sa amoang lugar. Kung moadto pa mi ug syudad, dugay pa mi kaabot (Hospitals are far away from our community. It takes us a long time to go to the city),” he said. Sick people in his community often resort to herbs for relief but these remedies proved insufficient for diseases like tuberculosis (TB), a disease which has plagued their community for the longest time.
Similar to Datu Edgardo’s experience, Rubin Tambara, an elder of Bagobo Klata also endures a similar problem that affects health behaviors in his community. “Ang kalayo sa lugar ug ang transportation ang nag unang hagit nga ginaka atubang sa pagpa-check up ug pagtambal sa TB sa amoang lugar (Geographical isolation and transportation are primary hurdles that we face when it comes to finding TB treatment,” said Tambara.
Although barangay health stations (BHS) oversee the health situation in the areas where the IPs live, these structures operate in a limited capacity in terms of TB treatment.
“As a result, IP communities often manage TB symptoms on their own,” said Evelyn Gelito, TB program manager at DOH Davao. “Some rely on the use of herbs for temporary medication and while others still believe in myths such as being cursed when showing TB symptoms like coughing up blood.”
The lack of awareness about the symptoms and proper treatment of TB are associated with a high prevalence of the disease, with many suffering in silence.
Gelito said that a comprehensive TB treatment would still require IPs to visit their nearest municipal health center, which proves to be costly in transportation that could run as much as P1,000 per ride.
The World Health Organization’s 2024 Global Tuberculosis Report states that the Philippines is one of the 30 high TB burden countries.
According to WHO, the severity of national TB epidemics is indicated by the number of new cases per 100,000 population per year. Less than 10 new cases per 100,000 population indicate a low incidence. High TB burden countries have 150-400 incident cases per 100,000. The Philippines is one of the countries with more than 500 incident cases.
DOH Davao data from 2024 show that over 21,146 cases of tuberculosis were identified and recorded in the Davao Region, with 8,601 of these cases coming from Davao City
Tuberculosis remains a burden of disease in some remote barangays where IP communities live such as Calinan, Baguio, Tugbok, and Toril A districts.
To address this health challenge, DOH Davao conducted a series of TB orientations and action planning workshops for Indigenous peoples (IPs) in Davao del Norte and Davao City. Four batches of orientation were conducted for the IPs of Davao del Norte in 2024, while a total of six batches were conducted for the IPs of Davao City—four in 2024 and two last January 2025. This effort to combat TB is in partnership with the World Health Organization, the Davao del Norte Provincial Health Office, the Davao City Health Office, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
“We are intensifying our efforts and initiatives to reach these geographically challenged areas and improve their health-seeking behavior through a series of orientations on TB care,” Regulations, Licensing and Enforcement Division chief Dr. Grace Amistoso said.
Dr. Amistoso, who represented DOH in the events, said that a sense of unity is important in eradicating TB in the community. “We are a part of the solution in our capacities as community leaders,” she said.
Dr. Amistoso noted geographical isolation poses significant challenges in identifying and treating TB cases. This is further aggravated by inadequate healthcare infrastructure, poor socioeconomic conditions, and limited awareness about the disease.
TB orientations and case-finding activities such as this help to address this health challenge effectively by empowering community leaders with knowledge on the tuberculosis cascade of care, a multistep process that involves identifying, testing, evaluating, and treating people with TB infection. This activity also trains IP leaders to monitor their peers who might experience TB symptoms.
According to Gelito, regular active case-finding efforts on TB and other diseases also come with contact tracing. In these activities, IP leaders convene their constituents for TB screenings organized by DOH and its partners with a bigger goal of achieving zero cases of TB in IP communities.
By bringing together key stakeholders and experts, gatherings like this aim to generate actionable insights and solutions that can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by TB, especially in vulnerable areas in Davao City: Baguio District, Calinan District, Tugbok District, Toril A District, and Barangay Marilog Proper, Marilog District.
The January 2025 activity was attended by Dr. Clarissa Halum, Technical Specialist for Tuberculosis/UHC, WHO); Hon. Dr. Trisha Ann Villafuerte, Davao City Councilor and Vice-Chairperson for Health); and Dr. Tomas Miguel Ababon, OIC-City Health Officer of Davao City. Representatives from the Office of the Davao City Indigenous People’s Mandatory Representative were also present.
TB is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and it most often affects the lungs. TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze, or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected. People infected with TB bacteria have a 5–10% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB. Those with compromised immune systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition, or diabetes, or people who use tobacco, have a higher risk of falling ill.
It is recommended to seek medical attention if TB symptoms are experienced like prolonged cough, fever, and unexplained weight loss. Early treatment for TB can help stop the spread of the disease and improve the chances of recovery. (DOH Davao PR)
