June 26, 2018, Koronadal City - Almost 200 indigent residents particularly the Manobo-Dulangan tribe of Barangay Dumolol in Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat have availed of free medical and dental services thru the Regional Inter-Agency Committee in collaboration of DOH’s implementation of Adopt-a Community as a Strategy in Reaching the Last Mile: Saan mang sulok, Kalusugan Maabot last June 21, 2018 held at Dumolol Integrated School.

The said barangay was just one of the target communities which have limited access to basic healthcare. Services rendered ranged from medical check-up and dental services, and minor surgical procedures which catered a total of 53 cases with the help of Cotabato Regional Medical Center (CRMC). The caravan had also offered nutrition-related and family planning counselling services among mothers, couples, pregnant women, senior citizens and adolescents in partnership with Commission on Population and National Nutrition Council represented by NO II Aurel and NO I Laurito.

Other participating agencies were DepEd, NCIP, Philippine Statistics Authority, PhilHealth and DSWD who had the chance to introduce Sustainable Livelihood Program such as fish deboning and bagoong making. On the other hand, the Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 had also offered free haircut services among male IPs as part of their humanitarian missions.

Sultan Maing, being the tribal chieftain of the said IP group, couldn’t be any happier and thankful of the government’s effort in reaching their community in delivering healthcare services.

Further, the RIAC team will continue to collaborate on different agencies and engage in activities that will help in bridging the gaps of the hard-to-reach communities for better access and utilize health services especially among Indigenous Peoples/Communities.(DPA/AMF/AML)