Nearly 400 students from Gueguesangen Integrated School (GIS) benefited from the Healthy Region 1 Caravan spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region in partnership with the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of LGU Mangaldan held recently.
The initiative provided various medical services and health education activities as part of the agency’s initiative to promote disease prevention and health awareness.
Simultaneously, LGU Mangaldan’s “Bantay Barangay” was also conducted in Barangay Gueguesangen, bringing local government services closer to residents.
Services included medical and dental consultations, legal consultations, anti-rabies vaccinations, free haircuts, free pneumonia vaccinations, public employment help desk, and information help desks of Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and Business Permit and Licensing Section.
The DOH caravan, which featured symposia on sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE), HIV awareness, the dangers of vaping, and mental health, was well-received by the GIS community.
Free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations were also administered to female students aged 9 to 14, while oral health services were extended to all participants.
Mayor Bona Fe de Vera-Parayno expressed her gratitude to the DOH Ilocos Region, emphasizing the importance of aligning local health initiatives with national programs.
“Bringing these services directly to the barangays, as we are doing with Bantay Barangay, reflects our commitment to our kabaleyans.”
“Our administration’s focus on strengthening the health system complements what the DOH advocates. Bringing these services directly to the barangays, as we are doing with Bantay Barangay, reflects our commitment to our kabaleyans,” de Vera-Parayno said.
Dr. Veronica De Guzman, DOH Pangasinan Team Leader, representing DOH Regional Director Dr. Paula Paz M. Sydiongco, highlighted the importance of disease control and prevention in creating a healthy environment.
“The target of reaching schools in Pangasinan to promote health awareness and encourage students to become champions of well-being.”
De Guzman also emphasized the target of reaching schools in Pangasinan to promote health awareness and encourage students to become champions of well-being.
The event also featured a ceremonial vaccination of three GIS students as part of the Department of Education (DepEd) and DOH’s “Bakuna Eskwela” School-Based Immunization (SBI) 2024 program, spearheaded by DOH officials and was witnessed by the lady mayor, Municipal Health Officer Dr. Larry Sarito, Councilor Joseph Emmanuel Cera, Councilor Aldrin Soriano, and Councilor Lovely Lian Maramba, who also sits as the Committee Chairman on Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition, Atty. Leah Evangelista, former Guilig Punong Barangay Marlon Tibig, and barangay officials of Gueguesangen.
In addition to health services, DOH Ilocos Region distributed sacks of fortified rice to 50 malnourished students.
Special games and raffle prizes were prepared for the 375 student beneficiaries to enhance engagement in the event.
Dr. Marilou Turner, Head Teacher III and OIC School Head of GIS, expressed gratitude on behalf of the students, teachers, and stakeholders for the comprehensive services provided by both DOH Ilocos Region and LGU Mangaldan.
