Albay villagers get free dental, medical services via social caravan

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- Some 500 residents of Malinao town in Albay province benefited from free medical, dental, livelihood and other social services on Friday.

A job fair, free massage, haircut, manicure and pedicure services, and free meals were also provided to the villagers.

In an interview, Sally Luces, Ako Bicol (AKB) party-list media relations officer, said it was their 20th mission this year under the program "Tarabangan Caravan."

More than 10,000 Bicolanos have already benefited from the mission this year.

"For this day, our caravan was conducted in Barangay Población. The beneficiaries were from 16 barangays that needed medical services. We will continue this program since AKB Rep. Elizaldy Co. wants every Bicolano to be given access to healthcare and other social services," she said.

AKB Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon, who led the mission, said government services must be given freely.

"Doctors were available, and medicine for those who needed it can have it for free. Laboratories and other medical services like electrocardiogram and 2-D echo echocardiography were not available in that town," Bongalon said. (PNA)