HUNDREDS of residents in a remote village benefited in a recent medical outreach and service caravan held by the Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion (IB) and the Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-Elcac) in Katipunan, Zamboanga del Norte.

Lieutenant Colonel Nolasco Corderos, 97IB commander, said Carupay village was identified as one of the geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (Gida) barangays in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Corderos said Carupay was a previous New People’s Army (NPA)-affected village and was declared as cleared from NPA affectation in February 2020 through the Community Support Programs initiated by the Army and police.

During the caravan, the municipal government of Katipunan headed by Mayor Patchito Eguia in collaboration with Rural Health Unit, civilian volunteers, police, and Army extended their services to provide basic needs to the residents of Carupay village.

Corderos said services rendered include coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination to 150 residents, free haircut, feeding program, distribution of 100 pairs of slippers, and giving of grocery items with five kilos of rice.

He said the municipal government also turned over a jeep and a motorcycle to enhance the transport capability of the Carupay village, especially during emergencies.

The residents of Carupay said they were grateful for the continuous support they received from the municipal government, which brought improvement to the livelihood and development of their community. (SunStar Zamboanga)