Provincial Caravan of Services reach Pilar island in Camotes

CEBU, Philippines — At 73, a grandmother of Pilar, Camotes, who recently lost her child due to lack of accessible healthcare, still holds on to a dream—not just for herself, but for the future of the island, her grandchildren, and all the constituents of the province to finally have access to a better healthcare system.

On a busy day during the Cebu provincial government’s Caravan of Services, Romo arrived with her 15-year-old grandchild. It was her first proper medical check-up in months. “Naay sakit sa hawak ug batiis, unya taas akong BP,” she explained.

But even more than the check-up, it was hope that brought her there. Living at Barangay Villahermosa Pilar, a remote island of the Camotes Group, means enduring long, exhausting journeys to reach the nearest hospital.

Romo lost her son over a month ago. At 52, he succumbed to complications after swelling worsened. They wanted to bring him to Cebu for better treatment, but the distance and transportation challenges proved too much. “Wa mi kaabot. Sa Ormoc nalang mi pero wala na, namatay jud siya,” Romo shared.

Traveling from Pilar to Cebu City via Danao City takes approximately 79 kilometers across the seas. In comparison, Pilar to Ormoc—where they rushed her daughter—is only around 7.2 kilometers away.

That memory stings, but it fuels her wish even more—for Pilar to have its hospital, its doctors, and an emergency system that doesn’t rely on sea travel.

During the caravan, Romo approached representatives from the Department of Agriculture to request vegetable seedlings. “Para matanom nako sa akong garden. Pechay, kangkong, ug okra,” she smiled.

For Romo, the promises made by Governor Pamela Baricuatro about a better healthcare system matter most. “Mayta ma tinood na. Nisaad man siya og ambulance sa dagat ug air ambulance. Kay kung masakit ang tawo unya walay pumpboat, unya way doctor pud, unsaon nalang?” she said.

She clings to the belief that Pilar’s time has come—that leaders like Baricuatro will finally bring long-overdue services to their shores.

First stop, Pilar

Pilar, Camotes was the first municipality where the Cebu provincial government brought the Caravan of Services — offering medical, legal, agricultural, and social services to residents who rarely have access to such government aid due to their geographical isolation.

Hundreds of islanders lined up early in the morning to avail of free medical consultations, dental services, laboratory tests, legal assistance, animal vaccinations, and agricultural inputs. For many, including senior citizens and low-income families, the caravan was a much-needed opportunity for relief.

Baricuatro, who personally led the initiative, emphasized however that the medical mission is just a temporary solution.

“Kani siya nga medical mission kay temporary ni siya kay atoa jung goal is ato jung ayuson ang mga hospital diri,” Baricuatro told residents in her speech. “Usa pa mi ka buwan sa serbisyo, pero giuna gyud namo ang Pilar. No Cebuano should be left behind,” she added

The caravan, a multi-agency collaboration, offered wide-ranging services including minor surgery, X-rays (for Poro residents), fasting blood sugar tests, cholesterol checks, ECGs, free medicines and vitamins, nutrition counseling, and even a free bowl of lugaw for all patients.

Baricuatro also announced her administration’s broader plan to attract businesses to Camotes to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and ensure long-term sustainability in the islands. “Kung molambo ang ekonomiya, modaghan ang inyong trabaho,” she noted.

Baricuatro’s daughter, Public Health Consultant Dr. Nicole Elisse Catalan, Provincial Administrator Ace Durano, and 5th District Board Member Andrei “Red” Duterte, joined the governor during the event, alongside key officials from various provincial offices and national agencies.

Among the legal services rendered were consultations on VAWC, support claims, land disputes, and errors in public documents. The Provincial Legal Office also offered free notarization and drafting of simple affidavits like Affidavit of Loss, Affidavit of Paternity, and more.

For farmers and fisherfolk, the Provincial Agriculture Office held technical consultations, a “mini-tabo” showcasing local produce, and distributed inputs like tilapia fingerlings and vegetable seedlings. Insurance indemnity checks were also handed to qualified recipients.

Animal welfare and agriculture-related services were likewise extended through the Provincial Veterinary Office, which conducted anti-rabies vaccinations, spaying and neutering (kapon and ligate), and deworming for pets and livestock.

PWDs and their families were not left out. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office distributed assistive devices and conducted orientations under the Sugbo Kahanas Program. Senior citizens received food packs through the “Halad sa Gugma alang kang Lolo ug Lola” activity.

The DILG-Cebu province offered services offered included legal consultations, a Katarungang Pambarangay seminar. In addition, haircuts were provided by the Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Army personnel under the “Amuma sa Barangay” program.

Government agencies like PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, PSA, DOLE, and the Cooperative Bank of Cebu also set up booths to assist constituents with inquiries and applications, ensuring that every sector in Pilar benefitted from the caravan.

Today, August 8, the Baricuatro administration will continue its caravan of services to Poro, Camotes, which was incidentally in line with the 456th Founding Anniversary of Cebu province. — (FREEMAN)