Gov. Emilio Macias II said the continued success of the Negros Oriental provincial government’s “Paningkamot Caravan” outreach mission highly depends on the availability of free medicines and services.

On Sunday, another “Paningkamot Caravan”, the 4th this year, was conducted in Bais City where about 7,000 beneficiaries availed of free medical and dental consultations, circumcision, agricultural technology training, and free medicines.

Macias, however, said “My little problem is that oftentimes there are not enough medicines or personnel to do the minor surgery services such as circumcision”.

The “Paningkamot Caravan” is Negros Oriental’s version of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s “Halad Ng Katawhan” where basic government services, medical and dental missions are being delivered to the people in the countryside, he said.

It has been held in Basay, Jimalalud and Mabinay towns, in cooperation with the local chief executives and congressmen of the province.

Macias stressed the need for support from local officials since the province can only give so much.

Bais City did not participate in Sunday’s Paningkamot Caravan.

Macias said Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva had been invited to join them, but declined for another appointment.

“If we run out of medicines during an outreach activity, then we simply stop,” Macias said.

The next Paningkamot Caravan is slated in Bayawan City but a date has not yet been set, he added.*JFP

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