BAMBANG, Nueva Vizcaya, April 1 (PIA) — The Department of Health’s conduct of its ‘Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan’ or RP on Wheels in this town has served more than 1,700 poor families.

As a component of the five-day Bayani Challenge 2013 event that focuses on health, the one-day activity featured the provision of free dental, minor surgical, medicines, medical check -up and lectures on nutrition, family planning, PhilHealth benefits and responsible parenthood, among others for the children and adults from several barangays of this town.

Aside from the DOH, the activity was also supported by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC) and the Municipal Health Office (MHO) of the local government unit here.

“The recipients of this activity are those families classified through the National Household Targeting System (NHTS) and recipients of the national government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps,” said Dr. Anthony Cortez, municipal health officer.

The event also seeks to promote health consciousness and other unique activities that will further raise the knowledge and understanding of the public about health, wellness and nutrition through the “Kalusugan Pangkalahatan” program of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III.

Floro Orata, DOH information officer for Cagayan Valley said that above all, the event featured volunteerism work among government personnel and private sector organizations.

He said the event was also assisted by concerned local government units and civic organizations, local health workers and local officials.

“The Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan aims to educate villagers on safe motherhood, Garantisadong Pambata, family planning and PhilHealth benefits including the provision of health services for poor families and to mobilize stakeholders, organizations and individuals to work for health promotion,” Orata said.

The Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan is part of the overall activities of the Bayani Challenge 2013 in Nueva Vizcaya which benefited poor families and communities in the towns of Aritao, Dupax del Norte and Bambang through volunteerism efforts of various sectors in building houses, refurbishing school, tree planting and lectures on value formation for children.

Bayani Challenge is a yearly event which is spearheaded by the Pilipinas Natin movement, a special project under the office of the Presidential Communications Operations Office(PCOO) and Gawad Kalinga.