GLAN, Sarangani (September 27, 2022) – The Provincial Health Office (PHO), together with the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) headed by Jobelle Pacquiao, launched a medical and dental mission in Barangay Tango on Monday, September 26.

This is in support of the Department of Tourism’s “Sa Booster, Turismo Pinaslakas” campaign in line with the celebration of National Tourism Month, encouraging everyone to be vaccinated and get their dose of booster shots to re-open the tourism industry and add economic activities that may benefit the people of the province.

The event was simultaneously done with the Barangay Bakunahan schedule for Covid-19 which aims to reach the 80% target vaccinated senior citizens and at least 50% of Sarangans have availed of the booster shots.

According to Provincial Immunization Coordinator Maria Razel Bustria, data shows Sarangani is still low in vaccination rate with only 57% vaccinated senior citizens, and only 4% have their booster doses, which she categorized as a high-risk rate for Covid-19 infection, thus strengthening the efforts of encouraging the people to get vaccinated.

Some 400 locals from the five barangays in Glan namely Tango, Lago, Kapatan, Mudan, and Glan-Padidu benefitted from the services offered during the event.

Some of the services offered during the medical mission include Dental Care/Check-up for kids and pregnant women; Tutok Nutrisyon Feeding Program for Kids and IEC on Proper Handwashing; Tutok Buntis Program (with buntis kits from IPI and health kits from Mahintana Foundation); Libreng Gamot (which include vitamins, antibiotics, medicines for coughs, colds, and fever, pain relievers, and maintenance for hypertensive and diabetic person); PhilHealth registration, and Covid-19 vaccination.

The partner organizations who also contributed to the success of the event include the Mahintana Foundation Inc., through its Health Plus Project: Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan Program which supported the beneficiaries by giving free medicines; the International Pharmaceutical Inc. (IPI); Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, and the municipal health office of Glan.

In the symbolic administration of Covid-19 booster to a pregnant woman named Rowena Plang, Plang said “Gusto nako mahimo ko nga inspirasyon sa ubang buntis nga mahadlok magpa-booster ug aron mas maging protektado ko sa Covid ug protektado sab akong pamilya.” 

Also present at the event was Dr. Candelaria P. Yap, vice chairperson of the PTC, who also took part in the dental mission.

“Paano nato i-entertain ang mga tourist nga mag-adto diri sa atong mga beaches sa Glan kung kita wala na vaccine ug na-booster? Ang mga turista mahadlok mag-atubang sa atoa. Kung wala’y turista mag-adto diri sa Glan, daghan mawad-an og trabaho,” she said as she encouraged her co-Glanians to get vaccinated and have their booster shots.  

This activity will be a monthly activity of the Sarangani PTC to further boost the tourism industry of the province. (Rozenkranz Espartero/PTC for SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)