Photo courtesy of Che Palicte/PNA
TALAINGOD, Davao del Norte — More than a thousand indigenous peoples gathered in Barangay Sto. Niño on Wednesday for the start of a three-day medical and dental outreach program.Che Palicte)
Organizers said the caravan was led by Youth With A Mission Ships Philippines in coordination with several government agencies, including the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
YWAM Ships Philippines president Rheo Loseo said it was the group’s first outreach activity in the Davao Region, focusing on delivering basic services to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
He said the community in Talaingod was identified through recommendations, citing limited access of indigenous peoples in the area to health care and other social services.
Loseo added that the program aimed to promote health, peace, and community development through direct service delivery to remote residents.
Services offered during the caravan included medical and dental consultations, distribution of medicines, haircuts, circumcision, and clothing assistance.
Davao del Norte Vice Governor Clarice Jubahib welcomed the initiative, saying it reinforced the need to extend health services to far-flung communities.
Talaingod Mayor Jonie Libayao also expressed appreciation for the participating agencies, noting that the activity was open to all residents and aimed to reach more than 3,000 beneficiaries over three days.
