Manila, Sept. 18 -- Access to healthcare is now closer to home for Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, following the recent launch of the pilot Community Assistance Vehicle (CAV) initiative.

In an interview on Thursday, Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. De Carlo Uy said the program, dubbed "OYO CAV," has initially completed five trips, benefiting over 80 patients and their companions.

As a pioneering initiative in the district, the OYO CAV Program was formally launched in August this year to provide free transportation for patients in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).

Residents from remote sitios in Gupitan were brought to the Kapalong District Hospital for medical c...