Baranggay Cotta

Posted on Oct 31, 2015

Photo showing Baranggay Cotta Health Clinic.

Every day, around six o’clock in the evening, the whole Quezon Avenue becomes one of the busiest places in Lucena City. There are plenty of students and employees goofing around while waiting for a ride home.  One of the jeepneys that they usually wait for is the jeepney from Cotta. Have you been there? If not, then let me be your guide today.

Brief History

Cotta came from the Spanish form of the Tagalog word “kuta” which means “hideout.” During the Spanish Era, it was believed that our beloved ancestors hid their goods from pirates on boats. These goods were vegetables, fruits, and hens. Due to this, a lot of people called the place “kuta” which eventually evolved to “Baranggay Cotta.”

It is known for its boats, native food like lechon, interesting places like Saint Jude Multi-purpose Cooperative, JNJ Company, Saint Jude Village, and the Metro Lucena Fire Station.

Baranggay Cotta is composed of five schools from different districts: South 1 Elementary School (Public), South 2 Elementary School (Public), Cotta National High School (Public), Casa Del Niño De Jesus (Semi-Private), and Holy Rosary Catholic School (Private).

Lists of Free Services for Baranggay Cotta Residents:

Baranggay Cotta offers different services to its residents, and they are discussed below.

Health and Medical Services

Aside from its food, Baranggay Cotta is also known for its medical programs. The place has a variety of health equipment and facilities including an electronic baby scale and a breast feeding corner among other things.

• Immunization – Every Wednesday, at around eight o’clock in the morning, the health officers of Baranggay Cotta administer free immunization shots like ROTA 1, Polio, and MMR vaccines (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) to infants up to1 ½ years old.
• Pre-natal Check-up – Baranggay Cotta officials encourage residents to visit their clinic regularly during their pregnancy from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon for their pre-natal checkup. After it, they also give pregnant women medicines for their first and second trimesters.

Baranggay Cotta also has infantile a lying-in clinic where residents could give birth. The only basic requirement is their health records.

• Senior Citizens – Baranggay Cotta offers a wide variety of medical services for senior citizens. They provide free check-up, flu vaccination, and early prevention or regulation of tuberculosis cases. They only need to present their Senior Citizen ID and yellow card to avail the said benefit.
• Medical Mission – Baranggay Cotta officials also travel around Lucena City to provide free medicines to Lucenahins who could not afford medication, especially senior citizens.
• Health Education – Every month, the nurses, nutritionists, and midwives of Baranggay Cotta conduct seminars and home visits led by the health officers of the Provincial City Health Office. They also distribute pills, condoms, and injectables as part of their Family Planning program.

Below are some of the topics that are discussed during seminars:

• Pregnancy
• Responsible Parenthood
• Fitness and Health
• Dengue, Malaria, and Chikungunya

Education – is one of the primary concerns of Baranggay Cotta officials so there is a day care center in each district that offers free education to children aged 5-6 years old.

Community Services

Distribution of Goods

Every year, the residents of Baranggay Cotta collect used clothes, noodles, rice, canned food, and hygiene kits from residents and distribute their collection to residents of other baranggay.

Tree Planting and Coastal Clean-up

Before the year ends, the officials of Baranggay Cotta and the Provincial City Health Office go full-force in conducting tree planting projects to maintain the beauty of Lucena City.

So, how was it? Did you enjoy our short trip? If you did, let me take you again on another trip to another baranggay in Lucena City soon. Until then!

For more information about Baranggay Cotta and its services please refer to the following contact information:

Address: Capitol Homesite, Cotta, Lucena City

Email Address: annalou.alcala@yahoo.com