2K N. Vizcaya tribesmen benefit from PNP medical-dental mission
OVER 2,000 poor tribesmen living in a small village in Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya on Saturday benefitted from a medical-dental mission launched by the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the support of Donate Philippines.
Led by PNP Director for Police-Community Relations, Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo, 34 police officers and men, joined by 36 doctors, dentists and other medical staff from Donate Philippines went to help the tribal community in Barangay Canabuan in Sta. Fe, the Journal Group learned.
The activity saw 600 tribesmen getting a much-needed medical checkup, 200 having their teeth extracted and 25 young men getting free circumcision.
The team also provided free optical checkup and reading glasses for 475 tribesmen, vitamins for 200 individuals and free ear-piercing and earrings for 200 tribal kids.
At least 1,700 individuals were also given a new pair of slippers by the team of Okubo and Donate Philippines, led by Myrna Reyes.
The joint PNP and NGO team trekked to the mountainous area to bring much-needed services to the tribesmen.
Okubo led the PNP team composed of representatives from the PNP-DPCR, the Police-Community Affairs Development Group, the Special Action Force, the Logistics Support Service and the Highway Patrol Group.
Representatives from various government agencies, including the Department of Education, Sta. Fe Vice Mayor Jonathan Tindaan and Police Regional Office 2 Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Brigadier Gen. Marcial Mariano P. Magistrado, also participated in the program.
Okubo said off-road vehicles provided by the Fraternal Order of Eagles-Philippines Eagles led by Joseph Ryan Jocson helped them reach the site, which is inaccessible to non-4×4 vehicles due to very rough terrain.
Bgy. Canabuan chairman Arman Arsenio said it was the first time that a big medical and dental mission attended by ranking police officials reached their community.
