Mother of quadruplets receives assistance

COTABATO CITY , Philippines — Residents and the Bangsamoro regional government have joined hands to help a woman who gave birth to quadruplets in Maguindanao del Sur.

Naila Utto of Barangay Tukanalipao in Mamasapano town gave birth on Nov. 18, but one of the babies died 24 hours later.

Mohammad Ariff Baguindali, chief of the Maguindanao health office, and Bangsamoro Health Minister Kadil Monera Sinolinding Jr. yesterday said they sent teams to provide Utto and her daughters essential medical interventions.

Sinolinding said it was the first time that quadruplets were born in Maguindanao del Sur.

Relatives of Utto said she did not know that she was pregnant with quadruplets.

Utto named her daughters Shahana, Shaira and Sharima. The babies are confined at the Cotabato Regional Medical Center. The other baby, Sharifa, died from breathing problems.

Raissa Jajurie, chief of the Bangsamoro social services office, said the agency would help the family.