PUDTOL, Apayao – The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and the Provincial Health Office (PHO) brought essential services to three barangays in Pudtol on Wednesday, September 4.
Over 200 residents of Malibang, Cacalaggan, Aurora in the municipality, mostly comprised of solo parents, teenage mothers, former rebels and other family heads, benefitted from medical services, received hygiene kits, school supplies, and obtained important information on Dengue Prevention and Control, Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act and PSWDO other programs and services.
Social welfare officer (SWO) Ms. Olibeth B. Vidad, in her message, underscored the importance of Expanded Solo Parent Welfare Act or RA 11861 saying that said law increases the benefits and privileges available to solo parents and raises the minimum age limit for a dependent child from 18 to 22 years old.
Similarly, PHO, along with Pudtol Rural Health Unit, shared the benefits of free medical services offered through the Project Butsy for all yApayaos, which include medical consultations, some medicines, and check-ups.
The event witnessed the participation and presence of Provincial Administrator Atty. Edmar Pascua, Dr. Jayjay Roaquin of the PHO, Criely Bacyadan of RHU-Pudtol, SWO/Focal Person on Family & Community Olibeth B. Vidad and SWO/Capacity Development Division Head Leeshel U. Lopez.
Meantime, the residents of the three barangays in Pudtol expressed their gratitude to the people behind these programs and recognized the impact it has on their community.
They also thanked Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. for initiating and supporting public health projects like the Project Butsy, especially for those like them who have difficulties accessing medical services. By Ginalyn Gapusan
