The Municipality of Mabinay in Negros Oriental received an award for successfully gathering the biggest number of volunteers nationwide with over 7,000 in the recent Bayani Challenge 2013 held last March 23 to 27.
Mabinay was one of the 43 sites from 34 provinces throughout the country that joined the Bayani Challenge event.
The army’s 302nd Brigade formed part of the strong army of volunteers that provided 2,000 town residents with free medical and dental services in a Gawad Kalinga Bayani Challenge event in Mabinay.
Capt. Cresencio Gargar, designated information officer of the army said the military medical team together with the rural health unit of Mabinay conducted tooth extractions with free medicines, circumcisions, haircut, and massage to the poor residents in the area.
Brigade commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio said the activity is part of the brigade’s civil military operation activities in delivering basic social services to the poorest among the poor residents in the area of responsibility.
“We are committed to support any activities of various stakeholders in the province for the welfare of the people that we serve,” said Patrimonio.
Dr. Ernest Uy of the Mabinay Rural Health Unit added that thousands of patients are also served with free vitamins and deworming in the Poblacion and adjacent barangays.
Mabinay Mayor Jango Uy on the other hand, voluntarily donated a six-hectare lot for the Gawad Kalinga site where 35 two-storey-row houses will be constructed for the homeless victims of typhoon Pablo in December 2012.
Uy said he was convinced and challenged to do their part to promote the essence of volunteerism for community development.
About 50 farm-volunteers readied and cleaned-up the 2000 square meter farm lot for the 35 family- beneficiaries’ agricultural-food sustenance.
In the last day of the event, Negros Oriental 2nd District Rep. George Arnaiz thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for making the Bayani Challenge in Mabinay a big success.
Congressman Arnaiz inspired everyone to continue the spirit of volunteerism even after the Bayani Challenge.
Arnaiz said with Mabinay’s success, he expects that next year more LGUs in Negros Oriental will join and benefit from the GK Bayani Challenge.
