OVER 10,000 residents, primarily from the Ata-Manobo indigenous communities, received vital healthcare services during a three-day intensive medical and dental outreach in Talaingod, Davao del Norte.
The initiative, held from April 15-17, 2026, in Barangay San Isidro, was spearheaded by Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Ships Philippines in close coordination with the 10th Infantry Division, the 60th Infantry Battalion, and the local government unit of Talaingod.
By the end of the mission, a total of 10,222 individuals had accessed free services, including medical and midwifery consultations, laboratory testing, dental procedures, wound care, and circumcisions.
Essential medicines were also distributed to patients throughout the event.
The mission mobilized a diverse team of approximately 100 volunteer healthcare professionals from across the Philippines and overseas, specifically targeting geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) where healthcare access is often limited by terrain and poverty.
Major General Alvin Luzon, commander of the 10th Infantry Division, praised the synergy between the military and civil society.
“We recognize the vital role of our partners in bringing essential services to our Indigenous Peoples’ communities,” Maj. Gen. Luzon said. “The Philippine Army remains committed to supporting initiatives that improve lives and bridge the gap for basic services in the most remote areas of the region.”
YWAM Ships Philippines, a humanitarian organization known for deploying medical professionals to isolated maritime and inland regions, focused not only on immediate treatment but also on long-term community capacity-building during the three-day window.
This massive turnout highlights the ongoing need for medical intervention in provincial regions and demonstrates the impact of robust civil-military partnerships in fostering inclusive development.
