STA. BARBARA — The local government here in partnership with policemen from Pangasinan and Police Regional Office 1 (PRO 1) based in San Fernando City, La Union joined this year’s biggest medical mission in this town that benefited over 4,000 people at the Banaoang Central School grounds here.

The mission, dubbed as ‘4 in 1’, is an activity organized in line with the 10-point progress agenda of Mayor Reynaldo Velasco, a retired police general. The whole day of Friday was in a festive mood with beneficiaries lining up as early as 6:00 a.m. and ended at 6:00 p.m. It was made possible through the police’ partnership with medical practitioneers and non government organizations.

“This is a ‘4 in 1′ activity, since it is a medical/dental mission, operation “tuli”, “libreng gupit” (free haircut) and a feeding program,” said Supt. Eric Noble, the local police chief.

Among the entities who gave medicines, food, equipment and support services are: United Laboratories, Rotary Club (Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan and Makati- Buendia), Caritas Philippines led by the town’s parish priest, Father Anthony Layog, Daniel Maramba National High School Allumni Association and Banaoang Central School Alumni Association that provided the venue.

In addition to PRO 1 doctors, medical professionals from the Manila based United Doctors Medical Center , Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and Urdaneta City District Hospital also arrived.

The mission was originally a medical and dental mission, but the other activities were added to spruce up the event.

OPLAN “Tuli” was a part and since the school days is approaching, “libreng gupit” (free haircut) was added along with free feeding with “malunggay” (moringa) noodles as part of the menu.

When Ilocos Region Police Director, Chief Superintendent Ramon Gatan, heard that a medical mission is being planned by Mayor Velasco, he immediately volunteered his police doctors to participate.

“We join this activity to support the citizen empowerment under our Integrated Transformation Program being spearheaded in Pangasinan by Senior Superintendent Percival Barba,” says Superintendent Policapio Cayabyab, the Community Relations Officer of Pangasinan police.

The feeding program sponsor was the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class of 1976. PMA Class 1976 is proud to have its following members who are from Pangasinan: Director General Jesus Versoza, the current PNP Chief from Dasol town, Leopodo Bataoil of Lingayen, Director for Integrated Police Operations (DIPO)- Northern Luzon and Silverio Alarcio of Laoac, DIPO- Southern Luzon.