FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Approximately 456 members of Maeng Tribe from Barangays Kili and Tiempo Tubo, Abra benefited from a Medical Outreach Program organized by
Bethesda Ministries International (Church) and Local Government Unit of Tubo, Abra in partnership with the 71st Infantry (KAIBIGAN) Battalion, Philippine Army last week, (May
18-19, 2022).
According to MGen Andrew Costelo PA, the Outreach Program primarily aims to deliver health services to the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) and cleared areas from CTG affectation in the hinterlands of Tubo, Abra.
The free medical services offered include medical, dental, and optical check-ups. Spiritual counseling, distribution of vitamins and medicines were also included. Meanwhile, the Community Support Program Team of 71IB, Bravo Company provided free haircuts and distributed leaflets on EO 70, E-CLIP, and Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to our partner stakeholders for collaborating with the Army for this Medical Outreach Program that benefited our Indigenous People’s Community in GIDAs. Malaking bagay po itong serbisyo na naihatid natin sa mga katutubo dahil hindi na sila lalayo sa pagkuha ng serbisyo medikal,” said Costelo.
Furthermore, Ella B. Dacaoen, a resident of Brgy Kili, expressed her sincerest gratitude for the medical services that they received.
“Kahit malayo ang aming barangay, kami ay nagpapasalamat sa aming mga bisita mula sa Bethesda Ministries International, sa Philippine Army kasi napupuntahan na kami ng mga doctor upang mapangalagaan namin ang aming kalusugan. Maraming salamat po sa inyo lahat,” said Dacaoen.
Moreover, Bishop Donald M. Soriano, head of Bethesda Ministries International (Church) expressed his deepest appreciation to the Philippine Army and LGU of Tubo, Abra for their genuine support to the successful conduct of the medical outreach program in the IP communities of Tubo.
“Nakakataba ng puso na hindi lang isang ahensya o organisasyon ang nagreach-out sa mga IP communities natin lalo na dito sa Cordillera. Ang Bethesda Ministries International ay mga anak ng Diyos na Kanyang ipinadala para maiangat din ang kanyang mga kapatid. Sa Philippine Army, maraming salamat sa pag-agapay sa amin upang mabigyan ng tulong medikal at ispiritwal ang Maeng Tribe. Saludo kami sa inyo,” said Bishop Soriano.
