It’s no fear in Munai Medical Mission

By Jun Enriquez

Munai, Lanao del Norte – there were three Barangays in Munai, Lanao del Norte enjoyed and benefited the medical mission conducted on October 16, 2016 held at Panggao Elementary School, Panggao, Munai, Lanao Norte. These are the Barangays of Pantaon, Tamparan and the host Barangay of Panggao. The medical mission was conducted by the 5^th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion, Philippine Army in partnership with the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) and Jaycees International of Panguil Bay, Lanao del Norte, Department of Education and in cooperation with the Local government unit of Munai.

At left, Lt. Col. Galileo Goyena

Aside from the three beneficiary Barangays the medical mission also accepted people from nearby places to enjoy the program. The medical mission gave free services on medical consultation, dental consultation, libreng tuli, free massage, salon services, free haircut, free blood typing and sugar screening, feeding activity, free medicines, Film showing. Also include the lecture on forest protection, , Distribution of school supplies. There were at least 200 children and 500 adults enjoyed and benefited the program.

Munai Vice Mayor Ike Balabagan

Lt. Col. Galileo Goyena, CAV (GSC) PA, Battalion Commander of the 5^th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion, Philippine Army, based in Bagumbayan, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte said the purpose of the medical mission is to open the place for other people to see Munai a safe place. It will also capacitate and empower the community to communicate other people freely. Goyena said that Panggao is an interior Barangay of Munai was known to be in bad image due to the incidence of kidnapping and cattle rustling that allegedly confined in the area. But the people in the community doesn’t want their place to be dragged into bad image. Goyena said that Panggao is not covered in the area of temporary stay of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). 

Psychosocial for children

Goyena said the bad image was instilled to the perception of the people outside Munai. To clear this perception is to make some activities that will serve as a show window to establish good relations among other people outside the community, teach the children on good works and attitude with the help of the teachers in school. Capacitate the community to learn that there is a government serving the people. The non-government organizations (NGOs) will also be used the place for their presence. Goyena expressed his thanks to all the stakeholders and partners especially the Munai Municipal Mayor Casan Maquiling for the very successful event this day.

Lt. Col. Goyena giving school supplies to children

Vice Mayor Ike Balabagan delivered a message in behalf of Mayor Casan Maquiling who was in Manila during the time of the event was stranded on his flight due to bad weather condition and was not able to attend the event. Balabagan said that some people outside Munai afraid of coming in the place. He said nothing to worry in Munai today because the local government is trying their best to change the image of Munai in cooperation with the community by providing sustainable livelihood, support infrastructure of farm to market roads so that agricultural production will be developed and the people become busy on their livelihood and economic activities. The Munai before during the time of no lights, roads and other infrastructure people in the area were thinking bad that’s why they will do anything that created bad image in their own place. As of now bad activities are no longer happening. 

Free prescribed medicines

Balabagan said that the three Barangays should unite for development. He said the local government of Munai will initiate livelihood training on Abaca production in cooperation with the 5^th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion, Philippine Army. Beneficiaries on this program will prioritize the farmers from Barangays Panggao, Pantaon and Tamparan. He said the training will follow the soonest time possible.

Fall in line for medical check up

A lecture on environmental protection was also held attended by the farmers group composed of men and women. The lecture was conducted by Forester Amron Acampena, chief of the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) – Enforcement and regulation section, Provincial ENR based in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. The lecture discussed was about the climate change and global warming and how the trees help mitigate flooding because three-fourths of the trees is water content. Forester Acampena said that cutting of trees is allowed only to the planted trees not on the natural grown trees. That’s why their office had apprehended illegal forest products including the vehicles used in transporting the products. He said arresting illegal activities related to forest products is not a punishment but to control and prevent illegal logging.   

Free haircut

Acampena said The cutting of planted trees shall be allowed only if a person have proof of ownership of the land such as title or tax declaration where the trees was planted. The lecture was also discussed about the pertinent laws on illegal logging and land titling procedure. The participants presented that most of the land in their area have no title. Forester Acampena adviced the owner of those lands with no title shall visit their office so that the DENR office will conduct proper titling procedure.

Forester Amron Acampena

Other Personalities present during the event was Dr. Rasmila M. Cosain, Senior Education Program Specialist, DepEd; Ms. Maricar G. Ablin, chief of Schools Governance and Operations Division; Ms. Edith S. Perez, President of the JCI Panguil Bay of Lanao del Norte; Mr. Rodrigo Rodriguez, President of PAMET, Iligan City-Lanao chapter; Dr. Charles Marquez, MD, Volunteer Doctor of PAMET; Ms. Aisha A Sanggacala, Principal of Panggao Elementary School and the representative of International Monitoring Team (IMT) of the GPH-MILF peace process was also present to observe the activity.