DEMONSTRATING its unwavering commitment to reach even the most geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region, together with partner agencies and local health workers, successfully delivered oral health and PuroKalusugan services to Indigenous Peoples in Brgy. Babuyan, Infanta, Pangasinan on February 26, 2026.
Home to members of the Ibaloy and Kankanaey tribes, Barangay Babuyan is one of Pangasinan’s remote mountain communities. Reaching the barangay required a grueling two-hour journey across steep, rocky, and slippery terrain—an arduous route that tested both vehicles and determination.
Despite the challenging climb to the mountain barangay, the DOH team pressed forward with a clear mission: no community should be left behind. The outreach provided free dental check-ups, tooth extractions, fluoride applications, oral health education, and basic medical consultations under the PuroKalusugan program. Essential medicines were also distributed to residents in need.
Health workers provided free dental check-ups, tooth extractions, fluoride application, oral health education, and basic medical consultations under the PuroKalusugan program. Children received preventive oral care services, while adults were given access to primary healthcare consultations and medicines.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that the medical mission in Brgy Babuyan is about equity. “Healthcare should not depend on geography and even if the road is difficult, our commitment is clear: we will go where our people are and we will bring healthcare services whenever we are needed.”
“No distance is too far when it comes to protecting the health and dignity of every Filipino,” she stated.
For many children in the community, it was their very first dental visit—an experience marked not by fear, but by curiosity and smiles. Parents and elders expressed deep gratitude, sharing that oral health services are rarely accessible in their area.
Health workers noted that without initiatives like this, many residents would delay consultations due to distance and transportation costs. By bringing services directly to Barangay Babuyan, DOH helped prevent minor conditions from becoming serious health concerns.
The activity forms part of DOH Ilocos Region’s intensified efforts to expand healthcare access in GIDAs, particularly among Indigenous cultural communities. Through strong collaboration with local government units, volunteer groups, and dedicated rural health personnel, the agency continues to deliver preventive, promotive, and curative services straight to underserved populations.
Through programs like PuroKalusugan and mobile oral health missions, DOH Ilocos Region reaffirms its commitment to Universal Health Care—proving that even the most remote mountain communities deserve quality, compassionate, and accessible healthcare.
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