BukSU Celebrates 100 Years with Serbisyo Caravan, Serving Over 500 in Barangay Can-ayan

More than 500 residents of Barangay Can-ayan, Malaybalay City, availed of various services provided by Bukidnon State University (BukSU) during its Serbisyo Caravan on October 18, 2024.

The services included legal aid, seedling distribution, the sharing of pre-loved items, dental services, seeds distribution, grocery pack distribution, medical consultations, storytelling, a hydroponics lecture, automotive repair, book donations, and electronic and electrical repairs.

BukSU faculty members from different colleges offered these services, including the BukSU Faculty and Non-Teaching Employee Associations, in partnership with agencies such as the City Health Office, Provincial Health Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, City Agriculture Office, PNP-Malaybalay City, and the Department of Health Provincial and Region 10 offices.

BukSU alumni in the medical field also volunteered for the medical consultations. Among them was Dr. Mary Ann Estrada-Ratag, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Maria Reyna-Xavier University Hospital in Cagayan de Oro. She graduated from BukSU’s Secondary School Laboratory, class of 1984.

“I feel so honored and privileged. It’s always good to be home. It feels wonderful to give back to where we came from,” said Dr. Estrada-Ratag.

One of the residents who benefited from the medical services was 78-year-old Ermita Otasa, who sought medicine for her hypertension. She expressed her gratitude for the accessible medical services, which saved her the additional P100 transportation cost to buy medicine in Malaybalay City.

“I’m thankful that the medicine is available here in the barangay, and I don’t need to travel to the city,” she said.

This is the first time BukSU has conducted the Serbisyo Caravan in Barangay Can-ayan, coinciding with the university’s Extension Week celebration and its upcoming centennial anniversary.

“I can’t express my happiness enough that our barangay is now a partner of BukSU in these programs, especially during their 100-year celebration. Several of our youth have already graduated from BukSU,” said Barangay Captain Yorita S. Cajardo.

“We hope that these services, along with our partners, will be of help and provide relief to the community,” said BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol.

BukSU has partnered with Barangay Can-ayan through its “Adopt a Barangay” project under the BukSU Unified Leverage for Inclusive Growth (BULIG) Program. Through this partnership, the university will implement various extension activities in the barangay. (BukSU-Information Unit)