LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA)—Three thousand residents from vulnerable sectors of Malasiqui town received free medical and dental care from the Department of Health (DOH)-Ilocos during its third “PuroKalusugan” event in the province held at Arenas Civic Center on September 30.
The DOH said PuroKalusugan is an initiative aligned with the department’s eight-point agenda, aimed at providing all Filipinos, especially those at the grassroots levels, with accessible and essential healthcare services.
During the activity, residents from 73 barangays of the town accessed various health services, including check-ups, medicines, minor surgeries, vaccines, and vitamins, to support their health needs.
The services include typically costly services like chest X-rays, electrocardiograms (ECG), and laboratory tests.
Dr. Paula Paz Sydiongco, regional director of DOH-Ilocos, said that the fund used to purchase medicines and other supplies came from the Office of Senator Loren Legarda.
“Binigyan ni Senator Loren Legarda ng karagdagang pondo na P6 million ang programang ito—P3 million para sa Pangasinan at P3 million naman para sa La Union,” Sydiongco said, expressing her gratitude to the senator.
(Senator Loren Legarda provided additional funding of P6 million for this program—P3 million for Pangasinan and P3 million for La Union.)
Delaila De Guerto, 49, from Barangay Pacuan, expressed her gratitude for receiving a free chest X-ray from the DOH.
She said that obtaining this procedure elsewhere would have been too costly given her financial situation.
“Nakapagpa-chest X-ray ako kahit na mahirap ang buhay. Malaki ang naitutulong ng ganitong libreng medical mission ng DOH para sa mga katulad kong nasa mahirap na kalagayan,” Pacuan said.
(I was able to get a chest X-ray even though life is difficult. Free medical missions like this organized by the DOH are a great help for people like me who are in challenging situations.)
Godelyn Carrera, 37, from Barangay Nalsian Norte, also expressed her gratitude for receiving a free ECG for the first time.
“Dahil sa paninikip ng aking dibdib ay nagpa-ECG na ako. Nagpapasalamat ako kina Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani, Senator Loren Legarda, at sa DOH sa pagdadala ng ganitong libreng serbisyo sa Malasiqui,” Carrera said, adding that the medical and dental mission provided access to free health services for financially challenged people like her.
(Due to the pain in my chest, I decided to undergo an ECG procedure. I am grateful to Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani, Senator Loren Legarda, and the DOH for providing this free service in Malasiqui.)
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng libreng konsultasyon, gamot at serbisyong medikal, tinutulungan natin ang bawat pamilyang Pilipino na magkaroon ng sapat na kakayahan upang harapin ang hinaharap na may maayos at malusog na pangangatawan,” Senator Legarda said in her message read by Malasiqui Mayor Geslani during the event.
(By providing free consultations, medications, and medical services, we help ensure that every Filipino family can face the future with a healthy and well-functioning body.)
Meanwhile, Geslani assured residents that healthcare is among the top priority programs during his administration.
Likewise, the DOH vowed to continue providing improved, intensified, and expanded health services for the public.
The DOH-Ilocos launched PuroKalusugan in the province of Pangasinan, first in Dagupan City on July 31 and followed by Bayambang town on August 25.
Sydiongco said they are currently finalizing the schedule of PuroKalusugan for October. (AMB/JCDR/KCC/Pangasinan)
