DAGUPAN CITY – The provincial government of Pangasinan delivered free health and education services to 120 families in Barangay Malico, a geographically isolated disadvantaged area (GIDA) in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, through its “Local Initiatives: Guidance and Assistance Program ed Barangay” (LINGAP sa Barangay) on July 3 at Malico Elementary School.
This initiative aimed to improve the quality of life and access to essential services for residents in this remote community.
They received circumcision, dental services, an electrocardiogram (ECG), laboratory tests, and medical consultation.
In addition to health services, the program also offered educational support, which included the distribution of books and learning materials to children as well as providing orientation on cooperative formulation to community members.
Malico is a mountain village located in the Caraballo Mountains, accessible by land from the town in about 1.5 hours.
“Kahit na may 1,333 barangay sa probinsya ay hindi kayo naiiba sa ibang barangay sa Pangasinan,” Governor Ramon Guico III said to the residents, underscoring that grassroots communities are equally important and valued regardless of their number or location.
(Even though there are 1,333 barangays in the province, you are not any different from the other barangays in Pangasinan.)
San Nicolas Mayor Alicia Primicias-Enriquez expressed her gratitude and excitement upon hearing about the provincial government’s initiative to bring essential services to Barangay Malico.
“We were very happy because this is a great help for our fellow citizens. Malico is GIDA, so services like this are a big help for our barangay,” she stated.
Rizalyn Cauan, a 35-year-old barangay council member, had her nine-year-old son circumcised.
“Matagal na niyang sinasabi sa akin na magpatuli. Ngayon, siya na ang pumilit sa akin, kaya pinatuli ko na siya,” she said.
(He’s been telling me for a long time to have him circumcised. Now, he insisted, so I had him circumcised today.)
She expressed that LINGAP ed Barangay is a huge help to them because the provincial government brought their services directly to Malico.
This way, Cauan said they no longer need to travel a long distance, which is challenging due to the difficulty of transportation.
Nena Guzman, a 51-year-old beneficiary of the ECG, shared her gratitude for the program and services provided by the provincial government to their barangay.
“Tinulungan ako ng doktor na malaman ang kondisyon ng aking hypertension sa pamamagitan ng ECG. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa gobyerno sa libreng medical mission na ito,” she told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Pangasinan in an interview.
(The doctor helped me understand the condition of my hypertension through the ECG. I am grateful to the government for this free medical mission.)
Meanwhile, Guico promised that the provincial government will establish a Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in Barangay Malico to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities in the area.
“Magdadala ang provincial government ng mga equipment na mananatili rito upang kung sakaling may mangyaring landslide ay may magagamit na agad para sa pagtulong. Kung anong kagamitan ang angkop dito sa Barangay Malico ay dadalhin dito,” he said.
(The provincial government will bring equipment that will stay here so that, in the event of a landslide, there will be immediate tools available for assistance. Whatever equipment is suitable for Barangay Malico will be brought here.) (AMB/JCDR/PIA Pangasinan)
