01/08/2025
The Outpatient and Aftercare Division successfully conducted its 3rd Outreach Activity on July 25, 2025, as part of the celebration of the Department of Health - Camarines Sur Treatment and Rehabilitation Center’s 18th Foundation Anniversary. This year’s theme, “Lifeboat of Hope: Serving the Hearts Behind the Nets,” reflects the institution’s continued commitment to community engagement and service, particularly to those who endure daily struggles in silence and resilience.
For this year’s outreach, the division chose to extend support to 50 fisherfolks from Barangay Adiangao, San Jose, Camarines Sur — individuals whose livelihoods depend on the sea and whose perseverance often goes unrecognized. The event was also made possible through the collaborative efforts of 20 personnel from the Municipal Agriculture Office, Municipal Health Office, Sangguniang Bayan ng San Jose, Office of the Mayor, and graced personally by the local chief executive, Mayor Jerold B. Peña.
Although the activity coincided with the onset of a typhoon, the Outpatient and Aftercare Division personnel remained committed and proceeded with the planned outreach. They demonstrated a strong sense of duty by continuing their work despite the unfavorable weather. This same resilience is often seen in the lives of fisherfolks, who regularly face difficult and unpredictable conditions in order to provide for their families. As the day went on, weather conditions gradually improved, allowing the program to be carried out safely and without major interruption.
As part of the program, a brief advocacy talk on drug addiction was delivered to raise awareness and promote prevention at the community level. This was followed by interactive games and raffles, during which participants received advocacy materials. Moreover, in recognition of the fisherfolks' often overlooked contributions, each beneficiary was also given a sack of rice and canned goods as a form of thanksgiving. Many participants expressed that the outreach was both timely and meaningful, especially since they had been unable to go out to sea for the past week due to the typhoon.
As DOH-CSTRC celebrates 18 years of service, the Outpatient and Aftercare Division continues to uphold its mission of reaching communities often left in the margins. This outreach not only honored the strength of the fisherfolks but also emphasized the importance of bringing support to where it is most needed. Beyond clinical care, the Center aims to foster public awareness, encourage healthier lifestyles, and build stronger connections between institutions and the people they serve.
Activities such as this serve as a reminder that recovery, resilience, and compassion are community efforts; and that every act of kindness, no matter how simple, has the potential to make a lasting impact. With continued commitment and collaboration, DOH-CSTRC looks forward to creating more opportunities to serve, uplift, and inspire.
