The 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (3rd Mech Bn) and its stakeholders extended aid to a total of 350 Indigenous Peoples (IPs) at Barangay Maamot in San Jose, Tarlac.

Recipients were from the Sitios of Cabuyao, Lilay, Papaya, Tangan-tangan and Tudek.

3rd Mech Bn Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jeszer Bautista said the outreach program is part of their initiative to bring basic services closer to the people.

“This is our way to promote the welfare of communities in remote areas, and to provide accessible services to them,” he noted.

Bautista likewise urged the IP communities to support the programs and projects of the national government.

Meanwhile, Sitio Tudek Chieftain Mario Alarios thanked the government agencies, stakeholders, and non-government organizations for their ever-present support to IPs.

“We are grateful for the assistance that you gave to us. Thank you for your effort and time to come here despite the long distance,” Alarios stressed.

The IPs got rice, grocery packs, medicines, clothes, school supplies, toys, and seedlings.

They also benefited from the free feeding, check-up, dental, haircut, circumcision, and vaccination services.

The outreach program was made possible through the help of Touching Heart, The Healing Hands Foundation, It Takes a Heart Foundation, Rise and Rebuild International Foundation, Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Tarlac Medical Society, Loving Mother Hospital, JVP Bread King Corporation, and Veterans Helping Veterans Foundation.

Other partners include the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples; Victorian Mula sa Puso Foundation; provincial government of Tarlac; municipal government of San Jose; Department of Agrarian Reform; Department of Agriculture; Bureau of Fire Protection; the Medical and Dental Dispensary of the 522nd Engineering Battalion of the Armor Division; and the Camp Aquino Station Hospital and Dental Dispensary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Command. (PIA 3)