Other participating agencies are the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) XI, Provincial Health Office (PHO) of Davao del Norte, Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Talaingod, National Commission on Indigenous  Peoples (NCIP), Philippine Army, and Philippine Airforce, among others.

“This is interagency or whole of the nation approach. This is also related to the effort to ended local insurgency or the ELCAC (ending local communist armed conflict) to sustain what President Duterte started.” said Jinky Espino, DOH IP-GIDA regional coordinator.“

Espino explained that the medical and dental outreach in the two barangays of Talaingod is anchored on the mandate of DOH to make government health services accessible to all especially to residents of far-flung areas.

The DOH RIAC-IPH team spent their first day on July 27 at the  Barangay Center of Brgy Dagohoy, where hundreds availed of dental extraction, ophthalmology check up; pediatric, family medicine, and dermatology consultation  and check-up; and minor surgery including child circumcision.

The team proceeded to Palma Gil the following day, July 28, hauling the same services with medicine.

In support to the medical and dental outreach, the Humanitarian Organization for Engagement (HOPE) Kababaihan lent a hand during the activity, as its members prepared meals for the working team while also encouraging women to do what they could to help.

“Having this kind of activity sa mga ingon ani nga lugar, dako  kaayo nga alibyo para sa ilaha especially nibaktas pa ug layo kaayo (in areas like this is a great relief for them especially that they have walked their way from far places),” she said.

Fondly called as “mamu,” Mendoza also called on all women to extend a helping hand to help others.

“You  don’t have to be somebody powerful or rich to be able to extend help.. kung naa ta compassion and the passion to really help,  everything is possible and with the  help of the Lord,”  she said. (JMDA/ PIA Davao del Norte)