VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The provincial government’s health caravan titled “One Ilocos Sur Health Caravan” has reached Santiago town anew as it provided various health services benefitting over 700 patient-beneficiaries on October 18.
It is a part of the "Healthy and Safe Citizenry" agenda of the provincial government, one of the 8-point agendas of the present administration led by Governor Jeremias Singson, which aims to bring free health services and assistance to the residents of the province up to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) assuring that nobody is left behind when it comes to providing quality healthcare.
According to the provincial government, the One Ilocos Sur Health Caravan provided free medical and dental consultation, minor surgery, free medicines, assistive devices, and food packs to the beneficiaries.
One of the beneficiaries was Leah Marie Beltran who took her son for medical consultation due to colds and fever.
“Malaking tipid itong health caravan dahil libre na ang serbisyo at gamot, nakatipid din sa pamasahe papunta sa ospital. Maraming salamat sa provincial government, lalo na kay Governor Jeremias Singson para sa libreng serbisyo at tulong,” she said.
The Deokid/Biotech Foundation, as one of the constant partners of the provincial government in conducting the caravan, donated pairs of slippers and toys for children.
Apart from said health services, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also conducted a payout for 186 workers of the DOLE’s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) from Candon City, and the municipalities of Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, and San Emilio.
It can be remembered that the health caravan provided various services to some 445 residents of the second district of the province during its third leg on October 18 last year, which was held in Santiago Municipal Auditorium.
The caravan offered free medical and dental consultation, minor surgery, ophthalmology check-ups, medicines, vitamins, assistive devices, and veterinary services.
The local government unit of Santiago also offered free haircuts as well as manicure and pedicure services to the constituents.
Moreover, the mobile hospital of LCS Group of Companies of former Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson was utilized during the medical mission along with the ONE Ilocos Sur Mobile Kitchen which was utilized in feeding.
The first “One Ilocos Sur Health Caravan” was held in Sinait town on September 24, 2022, followed by the municipalities of Santa Cruz, Banayoyo, Gregorio Del Pilar, San Esteban, Burgos, Nagbukel, Sigay, Santa Catalina Suyo, Salcedo, and recently in Alilem town, which was held in time for the 75th birthday of Governor Singson. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)