VIGAN CITY, Jun. 28 (PIA) -- Residents of Barangay Libang, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur received various assistance from the joint medical mission and gift-giving activity of the Kiwanis International (Caridad, Ilocos and Ilocos Sur Clubs), Presidential Security Group (PSG), Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cervantes, and the Philippine Army through the 702nd Infantry Brigade, the 69th Infantry Battalion, and the 2nd Civil Military Operations Company held on June 26.

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time conducting various service projects for communities.

The 702^nd Brigade tapped the PSG, Kiwanis International Club, and the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) purposely to engage with the residents of said barangay to provide assistance through a gift giving and medical mission.

The said barangay is one of the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in the province identified by the Army as a focus of President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 70 transforming them into a more unified, capacitated and empowered communities.

In partnership with the UNP-Community Extension Services and the Kiwanis Club, led by Dr. Marciana De Vera and Dr. Porferio Tugas, some 119 residents were provided with various medical assistance while some 100 individuals were provided with free haircut service by the Army.

Aside from these, the PSG distributed 200 boxes of groceries to the residents and the Army conducted film showing promoting its efforts in attaining peace and development in the country as well as to educate them on the deceptive tactics of the CPP-NPA.

The activity was led by PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Jesus Durante III, 702^nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Krishnamurti Mortela, 69IB Commanding Officer Colonel Mario Igmen, Kiwanis Club President Delfin Llagas, and Cervantes Mayor Pablito Benjamin Maggay II. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)