Cervantes, Quirino, Suyo BnB Awarding

As early as 12:00 mn of Aug.19, 2010,the JCS Staff prepared for a long journey going to the three uplands of Ilocos Sur being the last leg of the BnB awarding, one of the unceasing commitments of the good-hearted SP Member and Founder of the JCS Foundation Inc., Jeremias “Jerry” Singson.  After all the staff had been picked up from their residences, the group once again met at the residence of Hon. Jerry C. Singson.  At 3:00 am, the convoy of 3 vehicles started for the trip headed by the energetic founder together with the Technical Working Group from the Gabriela Silang General Hospital for an inspection of hospital at the Municipality of Quirino, Ilocos Sur. 

Hon. Jerry Singson, JCS Founder During the open furom.

Since it was going to be a long journey, the staff slept along the rugged roads, interrupted by a stopover for a minor call of nature.  Indeed it was very refreshing and fascinating to view once again the waterfalls, thick fogs and the scents and sights of pine trees. 

The Staff arrived at the Municipality of Cervantes at 7:00 am.  The drizzle and the thick fogs resembled the atmosphere of the City of Pines, Baguio City.  The coolness of the town was complemented with the warm welcome of the very accommodating Dr. Winston Aguirre and the delectable breakfast served.  After the delightful treat, the Technical Working Group went ahead to Quirino, Ilocos Sur, the JCS Staff rested and the others strolled at the nearby market while waiting for the awardees to arrive.  Vice-Mayor Robert Elai joined the JCSF Chairman and the staff in the open forum held at the rooftop of the municipal building of Cervantes.  More than 60 guests had come to meet the advocate of the destitutes airing the needs of their respective barangays. 

 After the forum and the presentation of the 6 awardees were finished, the group proceeded right away to the Municipality of Quirino, the farthest upland town of Ilocos Sur.  And what a long and gruel some journey indeed traveling to the rugged, rocky high mountains of Quirino! 

The Mayor of Cervantes, Hon. Clifford L. Patil-ao and his staff met the whole group at almost 11am.  JCS joined the awardees and the Barangay Captains of the diff. barangays of Quirino.  After the rite and the meeting, palatable and mouth-watering feast-like lunch was served.  The seemingly tireless and dynamic SP Member JCS went ahead with the TWG of the GSGH to the Municipality of Suyo where the last BNB awarding was to be held at 3:00 pm. 

The JCSF Staff arrived at the Municipality of Suyo just in time the ceremony was about to start.  The Honorable Mayor of Suyo, Samuel B. Subagan Jr.  warmly welcomed the group headed by the vigorous proponent of the needy Jeremias ”Jerry” Singson.  The 13 BHWs finally became licensed BnB operators as they were awarded boxes of medicines for their Botika ng Barangay. Barangay Captains of the different barangays of Suyo, SB Members and municipal staffs and Suyo DOH Rep. Jaime Javillonar were around to witness the event. The ceremony ended at 4:30 followed by a snack. 

For more Cervantes photos, click on Cervantes
For more Quirino photos, click on Quirino
For more Suyo photos, click on Suyo

BnB Operators' Training (Quirino & Cervantes)

In behalf of Vice Gov. Jerry C. Singson, the JCSF Staff and three from the Department of Health Regional Office, started to travel to the upland municipality of Cervantes at 4:30 a.m. on June 16, 2010 for the next Botika ng Barangay Training to be held together with the town of Quirino.

In spite of the grueling trip going to the upland due to the steep zigzag roads, they were still captivated by the delightful sights of the thick forest trees, rushing of the waterfalls and refreshing scent of pine trees. At 8:00 a. m., the JCS Group arrived at the Municipal Hall of Cervantes and was led right away to the Office of the Mayor, Hon. Ben Maggay, who warmly welcomed and served the staff with delectable breakfast.

At 9:30 a.m., Botika ng Barangay Seminar started at the rooftop of the Municipal Hall Building. The honorable Mayor initiated the forum followed by the seminar, which was facilitated by nurses Mr. Francisco de Vera Jr., Ms. Stephanie Consolacion and Ms. Zita Catbagan of Legal Office from DOH Region I.

Of the 16 participants in the seminar, 6 BHWs from Cervantes joined the training as an additional to the already existing 11 Botika ng Barangay actively operating in Cervantes, and 10 Botika ng Barangay trainees from Quirino will soon operate thereafter.

The training seminar ended at 1:00 p.m. followed by an appetizing lunch hosted again by the good-natured Mayor of Cervantes.