COTABATO CITY – Thousands of residents from the 36 barangays of Masiu in Lanao del Sur flocked to the recently concluded outreach program of the Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW-ARMM).
The one-day activity was held at the Unda Memorial Agricultural School, Barangay Talub Langi and provided free services to villagers from far-flung areas. The free services offered include women cooperatives orientation, skills training, medical consultation, dental services, eye check up, operation ‘tuli’ (circumcision), haircut, massage and distribution of reading glasses.
Chairperson Sittie Jehanne Mutin of the RCBW-ARMM spearheaded the event, which received support from the region’s line agencies, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the 103rd brigade of the Philippine Army and the Rotary Club of Iligan.
Basic social services such as health, nutrition, infrastructure, education and other development projects are among the major program thrusts of the present ARMM administration. Mutin said Masiu is considered as one of the poorest municipalities in the region where cases of malnutrition are very high. It has a population of more than 30,000.
“It’s nice to help people from this community, in fact we are conducting free medical services to other provinces in the region especially to depressed communities,” said Dr. Ahmad-Fawaz Israel, medical officer of the Office of the Regional Governor.
Noraida Natangcop, a 40-year-old resident of Barangay Unda Dayawan said it was her first time to have a medical check up.
“I’m also the first in my community to arrive here and I when I learned of the free services, I did not waste this opportunity and I’m so thankful to the regional government,” she said.
A total of 1,579 residents availed of the free services. They also signed the signature peace campaign dubbed as “I Value Life, I Sign for Peace”. (Bureau of Public Information)
20
