Some 13,000 residents of the six provinces of the Bicol Region are expected to benefit from a series of medical-dental missions dubbed “Tarabangan Caravan” of Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List slated this year.

In an interview on Wednesday, Sally Luces, AKB media relations officer, said the caravan is part of the priority programs of AKB and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to give health services to the people.

“This is a priority program of the Ako-Bicol Party-List led by Rep. Elizaldy Co giving the services of the government closer to the people, particularly those who are in far-flung areas in the region,” Luces said.

She said they are already preparing the schedules of the 22 Tarabangan Caravan in various parts of the region.

“We target at least 600 per activity for fellow Bicolanos who need to have access to health services. They will not spend money for check-ups and they can get free medicines,” Luces said.

Apart from the medical and dental services, job fairs, free massages and haircuts and provision of livelihood assistance will also be part of the activities.

For 2023, more than 6,000 residents in the Bicol region benefited from the AKB Tarabangan Caravan.

“Ang Tarabangan Caravan ay nakapagbigay ng serbisyong medikal nuong nakaraang taon sa 6,116 na mga residente sa mga bayan ng Manito, Camalig, Malilipot, Anislag, Sto. Domingo, Guinobatan, at pati na rin sa mga piling lugar sa Legazpi City at Calabanga, maging sa lalawigan ng Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur at Masbate (The Tarabangan Caravan provided medical services last year to 6,116 residents in the towns of Manito, Camalig, Malilipot, Anislag, Sto. Domingo, Guinobatan, and also in selected areas in Legazpi City and Calabanga, even in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Masbate),” Luces said.

In a statement, Co, who is chair of the Committee on Appropriations in the Lower House, hailed the success of the Tarabangan Caravan as a reflection of the AKB’s commitment to serving the people and the community.

“Bicolanos can hope that the Ako Bicol Party-List will further expand this program so that more people can be reached and given medical services. The caravan proves that reaching out and helping those in need, especially in remote areas, is possible and effective in improving the health and livelihood of the community,” the lawmaker said. (PNA)