Eighteen Real Good Presidents (RGP) from Parañaque and Las Piñas area clubs launched a major Health, Literacy and Child Mortality Reduction project last September 6, 2008 benefiting some 500 children of Barangay Tramo 1 in Parañaque City. The RGPs have been meeting since Aug. 22 to determine how to appropriately address the health and literacy problems in their areas. They agreed to conduct the service project in the depressed community of Tramo 1 where many residents, particularly children, badly needed support in health and nutrition. They decided to donate food and medicine, and provide medical/dental care and health education.

As early as 7:00 AM of Sept 6, the RGPs gathered at McDonald’s Kabihasnan Parañaque to have breakfast together and organize everything before proceeding to the project’s venue at the covered gym of Tramo 1. Also present to help on the orderly conduct of the event’s activities were the RCC of Pque Southeast, Rotaractors of Pque Palanyag, Barangay Tanods from Tramo 1 and 2 and Rotarian members from participating clubs. For a simple ceremony, RGP Pol Casale deliverd the welcome remarks, followed by some encouraging words from Brgy Capt. Arsenio Rodriguez, Jr.

As planned, several operational stations were set-up to facilitate the processing of the children beneficiaries. The Registration/Statistics Booths took care of weighing and recording the children’s vital signs. The Nutrition Station distributed bread and milk, courtesy of Parañaque Vice Mayor Gus Tambunting. The Examination Booth with 3 doctors courtesy of RCs LP North and Parañaque, handled the examination and prescription while the Dispensary/Pharmacy Booth distributed the medicines to the children. The medicines include Ferrous Sulfate (purchased by RGPs Yoly, Uye, Jomarie and Arnel), multi-vitamins and vitamin C (courtesy of Pres Ed Castillo), antibiotics, skin ointments and mineral water (courtesy of RGP Lito Ramos), among many others.

Next to the Pharmacy Booth is the Dental Health Station where free toothbrush (courtesy of Dental Mission Chair Malou Maligaya) and toothpastes (courtesy of RGP Uye) were given away. A Deworrming Booth was also placed where children were administered medicines on the spot. The last was the Blood Pressure Booth where Rtn Star Amistoso of Parañaque North was being assigned to take the blood pressure of those interested.  Aside from the medicines, leaflets about the importance of malunggay were distributed by RGP Brenda to the beneficiaries as part of the literacy campaign.

Gov. Boyet Limon arrived in the midst of the activities despite the heavy downpour and walking his way through narrow streets to reach the venue.  Everyone happily welcomed him, even by the small children who may not really understand what was happening.  With much passion, Gov Limon addressed everyone on the importance of health and environment.  After conversing with the RGPs and residents of Tramo 1, Gov Boyet hurried on his way to Taguig, where another community service project was also being held, to meet up with other RGPs.

Just a few minutes before noon, the project participants packed their things up satisfied that all children beneficiaries who came have been served.  However tiring the activity was, everybody went home with smiles on their faces – and in their hearts.