By Kisha Beringuela
Patricia Cioco, 22, arrived at the maternity pack distribution with a bright smile that gave no hint of what she was quietly going through. But as we spoke, she revealed something remarkable — she was already feeling contractions. In fact, her due date was that very day.
Living just five minutes away from the covered court in Cagba, Masbate City, Patricia made the effort to attend the distribution in their barangay, despite being in early labor. A mother of two and now expecting her third child, she knew exactly how important the maternity pack would be.
She sat patiently, listening to the discussion on the maternity pack and how the items could be used for safe delivery and newborn care , even as her contractions quietly continued.
She later shared, “Buti talaga naka-abot. Humihilab na yung tiyan ko. Masakit. Pero pinilit ko talaga makaabot. Oras na lang talaga bago ako manganak.” (“It’s a good thing I made it. My stomach was already having contractions. It was painfu but I really pushed myself to go here. It’s only a matter of time… I’m about to give birth.”)
She really wanted to receive the kit, saying she hoped to use the supplies as soon as her baby arrived.
After receiving her maternity pack, Patricia immediately headed home as her contractions began coming closer together. Her house is within walking distance of the city birthing center, where she planned to give birth, a comfort that allowed her to prepare while staying close to care.
Inside the pack are essential items for safe delivery and newborn care, including a baby receiving blanket that Patricia expected to wrap around her child within hours.
Among all the women served that day, Patricia stood out — the only pregnant woman at the distribution already in labor. Yet she remained calm, determined, and smiling, focused on making sure she had what she needed for her baby’s arrival.
Her story unfolds against a much larger emergency. Across Masbate, Typhoon Bualoi left more than 657,000 people affected, including over 142,000 women of reproductive age and more than 11,000 pregnant women. The storm destroyed health facilities, damaged roads, and caused widespread power outages, limiting women’s access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health care.
To support affected families, UNFPA in the Philippines, through the support of the Australia Government, provided life-saving supplies to the province of Masbate. The disaster left many without access to essential items for personal care and protection.
To help women maintain hygiene, health, and dignity, UNFPA supported the distribution of dignity kits and maternity packs to affected communities.
Dignity kits contain essential hygiene and protection items, such as soap, sanitary pads, underwear, toothbrushes, and flashlights, helping women and girls stay clean, safe, and confident even amid prolonged power outages.
Maternity packs, like the one Patricia received, contain essential supplies for safe delivery and newborn care, including clean delivery items and baby clothing and receiving blankets, helping mothers prepare for childbirth even in emergency conditions where access to basic supplies may be disrupted.
For Patricia, the maternity pack is more than a bundle of supplies. It is readiness, dignity, and reassurance. It is care carried home just in time to welcome new life.
Because even in the middle of a crisis, childbirth cannot wait. And every mother deserves support when it matters most.
