San Enrique Youth Representatives Join Medical Study Tour

Three young people from the Municipality of San Enrique in Iloilo joined other participants from Japan, China and Bangladesh in the LOOB - RTD Medical Study Tour held last February 24 - 29, 2016. Christine Joy Palec, Kevin Labayen and Peter Salvador Limas of Iloilo State College of Fisheries together with researchers from Kumamoto University, medical and nursing students who are members of the RTD (Road to Dream) group and volunteers of LOOB, Inc. toured the Calajunan

Dumpsite and interacted with those who are living in the vicinity. It is also where they stayed for a night as part of their homestay activity.

The contingent also visited the regional office of the Department of Health for an orientation about the health care and medical services in the Philippines. They also had an interaction with the representatives of ADPI or Association of Disabled Persons of Iloilo to have a deeper understanding of the situation of those who are handicapped.

The weekend brought the group to San Enrique as they first attended a Mass Civil Wedding officiated by the Municipal Mayor, Hon. Ramona Palabrica - Go. A courtesy call to the Mayor was also made by the team leaders. A visit to the Rural Health Center then followed. A lively discussion about the delivery of health services in the municipality with a tour of the facilities was conducted by the nurses on duty. A stop-over at the Mushroom Farm was made before proceeding to the Brgy. Madarag Health Station. After another round of interaction with the baranggay health personnel, the RTD group turned-over a BP apparatus to be used there.

On Sunday, the group assisted in the medical profiling of the members of the Dacal Ati Association. The said activity is part of the Dacal Ati Community Sustainable Development Project of the Integrated Services for Education and Volunteer Efforts or iSERVE in partnership with the LGU of San Enrique. The dental team of the 301st Bde of the Philippine Army handled the dental profiling during the activity. The Ati community also received a BP apparatus from RTD and a pledge for financial assistance in the colostomy of a community member.

The study tour is part of the programs and services of LOOB Inc., an NGO based in both Iloilo City ,Philippines and Japan. iSERVE together with the San Enrique Mayor's Office facilitated the local activities in the municipality. Media friends from the Daily Guardian and Boracay Informer were also present to cover the activity.

The three young San Enriquenhons volunteered in the Light of Peace in San Enrique last year together with the Program Staff of iSERVE. At present, they serve as the members of the core group of the Youth Working for Youth Development or Y4Y, iSERVE's youth group, together with Reynaldo Pabilona, Rhastine Megan Padernilla and Raskim Padernilla.

Credits: All photos courtesy of Ning Huertaz and Reynaldo Pabilona