Tarabangan Caravan brings services to Buhinon

By Jason Neola

BUHI, Camarines Sur --- Congressman Elizaldy S. Co’s AKO Bicol Partylist successfully concluded its 8th Tarabangan Caravan on Thursday, May 23. Hosted in this idyllic town in the 5th district of Camarines Sur, the event saw the participation of approximately 700 to 900 patients and beneficiaries.

Launched in 2023, the Tarabangan Caravan is a vital initiative aimed at delivering medical, dental, and optical missions across the Bicol Region. It strives to extend various government services to different community sectors, particularly focusing on the downtrodden and vulnerable population.

The outreach program not only addresses immediate health needs but also provides an array of other essential services to enhance the quality of life for Bicolanos.

Last week’s Caravan was a proof to the program’s success and growing impact. Among the services provided were free haircuts, massages, and a job fair, alongside the core medical and dental missions.

Beneficiaries received comprehensive health services, including check-ups, consultations, and free medications, reflecting the initiative’s commitment to accessible healthcare for all.

In addition to health services, the Caravan offered various demo trainings aimed at skill development and livelihood enhancement. These included small engine maintenance and repair, solar panel installation, domestic appliance repair, cocktail mixing, production of organic concoctions and extracts, and rice cake (puto) production.

Such trainings are designed to empower individuals with practical skills that can lead to employment opportunities or entrepreneurial ventures.

AKO Bicol Partylist Representative Jil Bongalon, a lawyer, emphasized that the Tarabangan Caravan is a brainchild of Congressman Co, who envisions a scenario where every Bicolano can access medical and dental services free of charge.

The vision has been instrumental in shaping the Caravan’s objectives and operations. “It is a concerted effort to uplift the marginalized and provide essential services to the community,” he said.

The event was bolstered by the collaboration of various partner government agencies, each contributing their mandated services to the community. Participating agencies included PhilHealth, the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Land Transportation Office, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Ragay Polytechnic Skills Institute, and the Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS).

The local government of Buhi also played a crucial role in facilitating the event.

The success of the 8th Tarabangan Caravan underscores the importance of such initiatives in bridging gaps in healthcare and essential services, particularly in underserved regions. By bringing these services directly to the people, AKO Bicol Partylist not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term community development and empowerment.

As the Tarabangan Caravan continues to make its rounds across the Bicol Region, it stands as a encouragement of hope and a model of effective community service.

Congressman Co and his team remain dedicated to their mission, ensuring that every Bicolano has access to the resources and support they need to lead healthier and more prosperous lives.

The photo above shows a boy benefitting from the free dental services provided by the Tarabangan Caravan, while the photo below depicts hundreds of Buhinons availing of the free medical consultations and check-ups. The event was hosted in Buhi town last Thursday. Photo courtesy of AKB/FIREFLY WINTER