UP CAMP Renews Seven-Year Partnership with Basco, Batanes Through Lakbay Agapay 2025

BASCO, BATANES – The University of the Philippines Manila College of Allied Medical Professions Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (UP CAMP CBR) successfully completed the Lakbay Agapay mission to Basco, Batanes from June 8-15, 2025, marking the seventh year of a vital partnership that has transformed healthcare service delivery in the country’s northernmost province.

The collaboration between UP CAMP and the Basco Batanes Local Government Unit began in 2016 and has weathered significant challenges, including a temporary suspension during the COVID-19 pandemic. The continuation of this partnership underscores the commitment of both institutions to bringing specialized healthcare services to the Philippines’ remote communities.

The mission received strong support from local government officials, with courtesy calls conducted on June 9 with Batanes Governor Hon. Marilou Horlina Cayco, Basco Mayor Hon. German A. Caccam, and DepEd SDO-Batanes Chief Education Supervisor Violeta B. Gasilao. These meetings reinforced the collaborative relationship between the college and local government.

Seven dedicated CAMPers were deployed for the week-long mission, organized into two teams to address both individual patient needs and community capacity building. The School Team, focused on pediatric and special education support, included Assistant Professor Lloeden Lois Cabacungan (SP), Assistant Professor Guia Allyza Rabacca (OT), Assistant Professor John Patrick Lentejas (PT), and Ms. Fides Nadine Raya Toribio (OT). The Community Team, dedicated to broader public health initiatives, comprised Dr. Ferdiliza Dandah Garcia (SP) Assistant Professor Penafrancia Ching (OT), and Mr. Mark Julius Dullas (PT).

The School Team conducted a comprehensive program for children with disabilities and their families. Activities began with a meeting with the Special Education Parents-Teachers Association on June 9, followed by therapy screening and consultations on June 10-11. The program culminated with a parent seminar-workshop on June 12, designed to equip families with practical skills and knowledge to support their children’s development.

The Community Team implemented a multi-faceted approach to strengthening local healthcare capacity. Key activities included capacity-building sessions for Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) and caregivers for the elderly on June 10 and 12, addressing critical knowledge gaps in community-based care. Home visits to persons with disabilities and bedridden elderly were conducted from June 9-12, providing direct care and assessment. The team also performed wheelchair check-ups and adjustments throughout the same period, ensuring that mobility aids were properly fitted and functional.

Demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the mission, the Community Team extended its services to Itbayat Island for the first time in the history of this seven-year partnership, conducting home visits to patients who would otherwise have limited access to health services. 

As the UP CAMP-Basco partnership continues to evolve, it may serve as a blueprint for extending multidisciplinary services to underserved communities across the Philippines. The successful completion of this year’s mission reinforces the importance of sustained partnerships between academic institutions and local governments in addressing healthcare challenges in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. 

Written by: Guia Allyza D. Rabacca, MFLCD, OTRP

Edited by: Gabriella Isabel R. Tablante, PTRP and Yves Y. Palad, EdD, PTRP