By Paulyn Erica M Porras, Service- Learning Formator

Medical consultations and psychosocial support activities are conducted simultaneously during LAAG KONSULTA
in El Gaucho, Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, as healthcare volunteers attend to residents while children
participate in guided emotional awareness sessions.

For the families in El Gaucho, Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, accessing basic services such as healthcare, legal assistance, and mental health support is not always easy. Although the community is part of the city, its location and limited transportation make it difficult for residents to travel. For families who depend on daily income, even one day away from work can mean less food on the table.

These realities laid the groundwork for LAAG KONSULTA, a multi-sectoral outreach activity of Xavier University held on 5 March 2026. Conducted as part of Social Development Week 2026, with the theme ‘Pagtubag sa Hagit sa Panahon.’ The initiative aimed to bring essential services directly to the community, making them more accessible, practical, and responsive to people’s everyday needs.

According to Ms Cherry Mae Selma, Coordinator of XU Institutional Professional Social Engagement (IPSE), the initiative is part of the University’s ongoing commitment to its partner communities. El Gaucho, she explained, was prioritized as an adopted community.

Before the activity, community profiling was conducted to better understand the needs of residents. Mr Chester Cotacte, one of the XU Community Organizers, shared that many residents face challenges in accessing healthcare and legal services. “The services that are easy to access in the city become difficult and costly for them,” he explained. Because of this, bringing services directly to the community was seen as a practical and meaningful response.

During the activity, different Social Development Centers worked together to provide a range of services. Medical consultations, medicines, and health education were offered through the XU Center for Global Health, with support from student volunteers.

Mr John Henry De La Rosa, Clinical Clerk from the Xavier University School of Medicine, shared that many residents consulted for hypertension and other common health concerns. In addition, families received hygiene kits to support daily health practices. “Prevention is still better than cure,” he emphasized, noting the importance of awareness of diseases such as rabies and leptospirosis. He explained that leptospirosis is increasingly common due to flooding and changing weather conditions, while rabies prevention remains critical for overall community safety. They also conducted short lectures on the symptoms, first-aid measures, and prevention of these diseases to help residents protect themselves and their families.

Representatives from the SD Centers, together with student volunteers, faculty, formators and staff of Xavier University,
gather with the El Gaucho community in Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City, for the implementation of LAAG KONSULTA
during Social Development Week 2026.

Beyond physical health, the activity also gave attention to mental and emotional well-being, especially among children. Ms Cecille Lou Sinato, an intern at Xavier Center for Mental Health and Research (XCMHR) explained that children were given time and space to simply play, interact, and express themselves.

“Self-care is not only for adults,” she shared. Through simple activities like identifying emotions and drawing, children were encouraged to express feelings they may not easily share at home. These activities, she added, also help improve their social and developmental skills, while allowing them to enjoy being children in a safe and supportive space.

Legal services were also made available through the Xavier Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA), where residents received free consultations and assistance with documents. Atty Noelen JC Kristy Abaday explained that many of the concerns involved birth and marriage certificates.

“At the core of it, these documents represent a person’s identity,” she noted. Assisting residents in securing these documents, she added, is one way of helping them access their rights and opportunities.

For Tatay Felix, a resident of El Gaucho, the legal service was a big help. He sought assistance in processing his birth certificate, which would normally require him traveling to Quezon, Bukidnon. “Mahal kaayu ang pamasahe Ma’am. Among kitaon sa us aka adlaw igo ra ipa kaon sa among pamilya. Kung dili pod mi mag trabaho, wala mi kanonon.”, Tatay Felix shared. With transportation costs high and work being a daily necessity, the process can be difficult. Through LAAG KONSULTA, his documents were prepared on-site, making the next steps easier for him.

Another resident, Tatay Ernesto, availed of medical consultation and received medicines during the activity. He shared that he had been visiting hospitals frequently in the past months, which had become financially challenging. “Gasto kaayu mag sige ug balik-balik Ma’am, unya lisud pa gyud ang masakyan. Mahal pa gyud kay layo baya.” Tatay Ernesto said. With limited transportation options in their area, access to regular checkups is not always possible. The outreach, for him, provided much-needed support.

A feeding activity and legal consultations for residents are conducted simultaneously during LAAG KONSULTA
in El Gaucho, Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro City.

Through the Masterson Food and Agricultural Development (MFAD), Xavier University faculty member Josie Lastimosa Igloria led students in providing safe, hygienic food service to the community. The initiative allowed students to apply classroom safety principles in real-world settings, emphasizing that proper food handling is vital for preventing illness and supporting community health. “We make sure that students not only understand the principles but also practice them in actual community settings,” she said, highlighting their advocacy for food quality and safety.

More than the services provided, LAAG KONSULTA created a space where community members felt seen and heard. Residents expressed appreciation not only for the assistance but also for the presence of volunteers who listened to their concerns. Xavier University continues to respond to the challenges of the times, one community at a time, by making care, support, and opportunities more accessible to those who need them most.

As emphasized by Atty Noelen JC Kristy Abaday, the initiative goes beyond service delivery and speaks to a deeper purpose:

“At the core of what we do is helping people reclaim what is rightfully theirs - their identity, their dignity, and their access to opportunities. When we help them take even one step forward, that is already justice.”

For residents like Tatay Felix and Tatay Ernesto, that “one step forward” means fewer barriers, less burden, and renewed hope for their families. In communities like El Gaucho, where access is often limited, efforts such as LAAG KONSULTA affirm that meaningful change begins by meeting people where they are and walking with them toward a more secure and hopeful future.