THE Philippine Army's 61st Infantry (Hunter) Battalion (61IB) intensified its community engagement and peace-building efforts with a series of medical missions, outreach activities, and local security partnerships from July 4 to 5, 2025.
These initiatives took place across Tigbauan, Leon, and Tubungan towns in Iloilo.
On July 5, 2025, the 61IB, led by Lieutenant Colonel Arturo Balgos Jr., organized a Medical, Dental, and Community Outreach Program at Bagacay National High School in Barangay Bagacay, Tigbauan.
The program aimed to provide essential health services to underserved residents and strengthen collaboration among military, local government, and civic sectors.
"We are soldiers not only in arms, but in service," Balgos Jr. said. "Today, we stood not just as protectors, but as partners in health and hope."
Notable attendees included Tigbauan Vice Mayor Lugen T. Ortilano, Sangguniang Bayan Members Dr. Pinky Jarina and Adrian Camposagrado, Barangay Captain Manuela Balcuba, School Principal Jenalyn Tuala, and SFO3 John Paul Ituriaga of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Tigbauan.
The program provided 108 medical consultations; 80 dental care services; 70 optical checkups; 11 circumcisions; 50 free haircuts; and 15 therapeutic massages.
These services were delivered through partnerships with local medical practitioners, civic organizations, and community health workers.
On July 4, 2025, the 61IB participated in the Retooled Community Support Program (RCSP) Serbisyo Caravan at Barangay Dusacan, Leon.
This event delivered essential services directly to remote communities and strengthened grassroots governance in vulnerable areas.
Second Lieutenant Shy Marie Fajilagutan represented the 61IB. The caravan saw participation from various government agencies, including Emmy Marie Nedula (MLGOO of Leon), Gilbert Callada (RCSP focal person), Police Executive Master Sergeant Esteve Barte (Leon Municipal Police Station), and representatives from the Provincial Health Office, Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Education, agriculture office, and municipal treasurer and nutrition units.
Barangay leaders from Dusacan, Agta, and Cawilihan also attended. The 61IB reaffirmed its support for the RCSP, aligning its mission with efforts to improve service delivery and security in remote areas.
Simultaneously on July 4, 2025, the battalion joined local stakeholders in the Culmination Program of the Mobile Community Support and Sustainment Program (MCSSP), the oath-taking of the Barangay Defense Emergency Response Association (BanDERA), and the turnover of first aid kits at the Barangay Lanag Sur Gymnasium in Tubungan, Iloilo.
Balgos Jr. and First Lieutenant Mark Dalayap, officer-in-charge of Alpha Company, represented the 61IB.
Tubungan Mayor Roquito Tacsagon, Vice Mayor Leo Cezar Taypen, Sangguniang Bayan Member Francisco Gallego, Liga ng mga Barangay President Melania Tacsagon, SKMF President Jennifer Buenavides, and other municipal officials were also present.
Balgos Jr. highlighted the MCSSP’s impact on seven barangays, Nagba, Bato, Bikil, Molina, Igtuble, Igdampog Sur, and Igdampog Norte, by enhancing local capacity through peace education, disaster mapping, livelihood programs, and risk assessment initiatives.
He stated, “Kon may kahilwayan, may kasanagan” (Where there is freedom, there is enlightenment). This means that with peace, the path to progress becomes clear, and development strengthens territorial defense.
Key highlights from the MCSSP included:
- Barangay Bikil: Youth livelihood consultations;
- Barangay Molina: Improvements in farm-to-market logistics;
- Barangay Igtuble: Disaster response mapping;
- Barangays Igdampog Norte and Sur: Peace education efforts;
- Barangay Bato: Strengthening of the Barangay Peace Council;
- Barangay Nagba: Implementation of preemptive risk assessment planning;
The newly inducted BanDERA officers were recognized as frontliners of local security and community resilience.
The 61IB’s continuous efforts across these towns reflect its broader mission of achieving peace, building trust, and enabling development in conflict-affected and geographically isolated communities in Iloilo. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)