MANILA, Philippines - For 65 years now, Victory Liner has been at the forefront of reaching communities — providing travelers the largest bus transportation in key North Luzon locations. As it continues to move people better and safer, the bus liner has embarked on another journey, this time focusing on community health care promotion.
Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan (LBK) is a health promotion caravan spearheaded by the Department of Health (DOH). Carrying the slogan “Walang Iwanan sa Biyaheng Kalusugan” (No one left Behind in the Journey to Health), the health caravan aims to increase and improve health services among rural barangays in the country. Victory Liner donated a bus for the project.
Recently launched in Tarlac, the campaign saw the transformation of a Victory Liner bus into a mobile clinic, complete with receiving areas and consultation rooms. The bus was adorned with colorful images depicting Filipino family life.
“When the organizers approached us about this project, we were already drawn to it. We saw an opportunity to give back. It is something that we learned from our grandparents, the ones who founded Victory Liner — to not only provide transportation services to our patrons but also give back to the communities that have continuously supported the company,” noted Marivic del Pilar, treasury and marketing head of Victory Liner.
Victory Liner, through its philanthropic arm — the Doña Marta T. Hernadez Foundation — has pioneered projects targeted to bring change in communities. These include scholarship, medical programs, supporting children’s homes, and initiating entrepreneurial training and programs. The company, del Pilar said, continues to look for opportunities that can give a voice to the marginalized sectors of society. She also alluded to the importance of partnership in such advocacies.
The health caravan is a partnership among DOH, local governments, private and non-private organizations with technical assistance from the US Agency for International Development.
Some 2,000 residents from Barangay Sta. Juliana in Capas, mostly from the Aeta community, joined the two-day event. Aside from the pre-natal checkups and counseling, the event also included an interactive health exhibit, videoke concert, storytelling sessions, games and other fun activities for the entire family.
“If we can promote prevention and care through campaigns like Lakbay Buhay Kalusugan, we can look forward to a future when households will be knowledgeable enough to keep their families healthy and productive,” said Tarlac Governor Victor Yap during the launch.
After Tarlac, the next stops of the LBK bus include Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija. In Visayas, the health caravan will journey to Bohol and Negros Occidental before finally driving health services in South Cotabano, Compostela Valley, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon and Maguindanao.
As one of the largest bus companies in the country, Victory Liner continues to improve its services, and giving back to the community is something it values as well. For more details, visit www.victoryliner.com.