Residents from 30 villages in Bacacay, Albay on Friday received various government social, medical, and livelihood services during the one-day medical-dental mission called "Tarabangan Caravan" in Barangay 13.
Doctors from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Navy-Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Department of Health, and Tanchuling Hospital provided free check-ups, dental cleaning, and medicine while free massage and wheelchairs were also provided.
The activity is part of a series of medical and dental missions scheduled by the Ako Bicol party-list throughout the Bicol region.
Sheryl Basilan, 41, of Barangay 8 Poblacion, along with her son and nephew, availed of the free check-up.
"My son always has nosebleeds and fever. This is a big help for me. Besides being free, it is convenient since it is near our house. Thank you, Ako Bicol party-list, for bringing various services to our town," she said.
Basilan said she received free medicine and vitamins for her son and nephew.
Grechen Boter, 26, of Barangay 1, expressed her joy upon hearing about the caravan.
"I came here early so that I could get the services. I have asthma and I need medicine, laboratory tests, and x-rays. If they provide all of these, it will be a big savings for me."
In an interview, AKB Representative Raul Angelo Bongalon said the caravan is the 18th mission they have conducted for the entire Bicol region so far this year.
"We are doing this so that the medical and other social services will be closer to the people, especially those who need them. These people cannot go to hospitals for check-ups. This is a chance we give our people to avail of the services," he said.
He added they want to ensure that everyone has free access to what the government can give to different sectors in the community.
The office of Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda provided five kilos of rice for every beneficiary.
Educational aid
Meanwhile, Bongalon said at least 5,000 parents of elementary learners from the 1st district of Albay will get educational assistance worth PHP2,000 each by September, the first batch for this aid.
"I take the initiative of giving educational assistance to our elementary pupils because of our performance in the current result of Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) where the Philippines is in bottom four. One of the factors that affects the performance of our students is poverty. They can't go to school or even go hungry, so their performance in schools is affected," he said.
He said the listing of beneficiaries was given to school heads or principals who knew who needed aid.
"Because of the limited slots, we are prioritizing Grade 6 pupils, but some grade school learners can also receive since the school heads will determine who needs the assistance. In two weeks, the parents of the learner-beneficiary can receive the payout," he said. (PNA)
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