LEON, Iloilo  — The Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program has conducted an Indigenous Peoples’ Convergence Caravan and Medical Mission at Brgy. Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo recently. (June 14).

Almost 200 Panay Bukidnon IPs mostly 4Ps beneficiaries from three villages of Tagsing, Cawilihan and Ingay had availed the services particularly the medical check-ups.

The department and partner implementers such as Philhealth, NCIP, PNP and LGU Leon had oriented the participants of the different programs and services they are offering. The Mcdo gave toys to children for the game prizes.

Also, the DOH6 and Iloilo Provincial Government thru the Provincial Health Office donated the medicines and led the medical check-ups. Doctors and nurses were mostly coming from Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian and Federico Roman Tirador Sr. Memorial District Hospital in Janiuay, all in Iloilo.

Punong Barangay Lorna Cachero of Brgy. Tagsing said this is the first time that a medical mission was conducted at their village.

“We are very much thankful for the opportunity that the DSWD-6 has given to us. We are lucky that our barangay has been chosen to be your recipient. More of us especially the elders and children benefited from your medical mission, feeding program and information caravan”, she said.

Lorna hopes that through the activity, this will open more opportunities to them.

Barangay Tasing is one of the farthest barangays in Leon where mostly IP communities are located. It has 762 households which represent 1.53% of the total population of Leon.

TESTIMONIES

On the other hand, Remia Cabualan, the 2017 national champion in the Huwarang Pantawid Pamilya also shared her testimony on how the 4Ps change their lives for good during the said activity.

Remia, a Parent Leader of Brgy. Tina-an Norte, also in Leon town, said two of her children were already graduated from college and now working while the two others are still studying. Remia added because of the cash grants they are receiving through the Pantawid Pamilya they were able to send their children to school.

“We need to take care of our cash grants and make sure that the money goes to our children’s school needs as well as keep them healthy”, she advised co-beneficiaries.

Remia and her husband Romulo both working as a time keeper and construction worker of a private contractor contracted under the Department of Public Works and Highway 6. dswd6//MGC