Left photo: A team of information officers from the DSWD Social Marketing Service (SMS) answer the queries of residents regarding the programs and services of the Department during the information caravan.
Right photo: Medical specialists from Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and International Academy of Medical Specialists, Inc. (IAMSI) provide free check-up and gave free medicines to the residents of the barangay.
In its continuing effort to help build stronger communities for drug surrenderers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) joined the local government of Marikina City for a medical mission and information caravan in a subdivision in Barangay Concepcion Uno on Sunday.
Organized by Zenaida II Homeowners Association, the medical mission was participated in by medical practitioners from the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and International Academy of Medical Specialists, Inc. (IAMSI). They provided free-check up and medicines to the drug surrenderers and other residents of the barangay.
The medical mission aimed to service the medical needs of drug surrenderers and residents and to promote good health among other members of the community. The mission was able to serve about 30 surrenderers and 500 residents.
For its part, the DSWD set-up a booth and distributed information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to the drug surrenderers highlighting the services offered by the Department under the Pillar III of the National Drug Rehabilitation Program of the Duterte Administration.
DSWD staff also answered the queries of the residents and explained how they could avail of the programs and services of the Department.
Zenaida II Homeowners’ President Lord Nebres said that the activity is a way to fight drugs in their community, promote good health, and bring the services of the government closer to the residents.
Ako’y kumatok sa kanila. Unang-una, sa ating kapulisan sa pagsugpo ng bawal ng gamot sa ating komunidad. Ako’y lumapit din sa simbahan, sa ating partners sa PMA at IAMSI, at sa DSWD upang mapangyari ang programang ito (I tapped the police in order to fight drugs in our community. I also asked help from the church, our partners from PMA and IAMSI, and the DSWD in order to conduct this program),” Nebres said.
“Ang malaking outcome ng programang ito ay ang pagkawala ng droga sa aming komunidad at pag-abot ng mga programa ng gobyerno sa mga residente (The big outcome of this initiative is the elimination of drugs in our community and bringing the services of the government closer to the residents),” he said.
DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said that the community and the family play a vital role in the anti-drug campaign of this administration. She lauded the initiative of Zenaida II Homeowners Association and urged other communities to replicate this effort.
“If families espouse the proper values and communities offer the needed support system through the programs and services that they implement, our youth will definitely refrain from the lure of illegal drugs. Let us therefore strengthen the family as a foundation of a drug-free community,” Sec. Taguiwalo said.
