86 Pupils of Lipay Integrated School receives benefits under Project Harmony of the Rotary Club of Metro San Fernando (LU)

Have you ever imagined living in an isolated community, far from the necessities found in town centers?

The residents of Barangay Lipay face these challenges daily as they live in a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA). Traveling to and from this barangay means enduring steep, narrow, and rough roads. Most families depend on selling their homegrown crops and handicrafts for their livelihood.

In response, the Rotary Club of Metro San Fernando (LU), together with our partners—the

Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center Departments of Dental Medicine and Nutrition &

Dietetics, the Philippine Dental Association – La Union Chapter, the Philippine Academy of

Dental Public Health, JCI Naguilian Bassi, and the Department of Education—chose Lipay

Integrated School as the beneficiary of Project Harmony on July 1, 2025.

Through this project, we launched several initiatives:

1. The Little Doctors Program – Fifteen pupils were selected by dentists to serve as

“Little Doctors.” They monitor their classmates’ toothbrushing habits by recording

daily compliance in small notebooks. This encourages children to develop proper

dental hygiene habits at an early age.

2. Oral kits distribution – to support the Little Doctors Program, dental kits were

distributed to all pupils.

3. Dental Health Lecture – A lecture on proper toothbrushing techniques to provide

pupils with essential oral health knowledge.

4. Fluoride Application – Pupils received fluoride treatment to strengthen their teeth

and prevent cavities.

5. Nutritious Meal Sharing – To close the program, the children were treated to a

healthy meal.

This is just the beginning. The Club and its partners will return to monitor the progress of the

Little Doctors Program and ensure that the students’ oral health continues to improve. Seeing

the need for this community to access basic services, the Club continues to plan its future

initiatives to bring lasting change and impactful service not only to the school but to the

community living in the area, as well.

Together, we Unite for Good!

Written by: Chesterton Feliciano