THE Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) and the Serve the People Health and Wellness (STP-HW) Volunteers have jointly launched a new clinic offering alternative healthcare services to underprivileged communities. The soft launch, held last Tuesday, attracted 35 patients and guests.
The clinic, located at 56 Mother Ignacia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City (inside the PRRM building), offers acupuncture, cupping therapy, and massage therapy, provided by seven dedicated STP-HW volunteers. The clinic operates on a donation-based model and is open every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Agapito Gaddi, overall coordinator of STP-HW, expressed enthusiasm about the positive community response to the launch. He emphasized that this is just the beginning of their efforts to provide accessible alternative healthcare to those in need. Gaddi highlighted the clinic’s origins in a 2006 program serving low-income families in San Roque, Quezon City, and its current expansion to include healthcare for aging veteran activists.
STP-HW employs a range of alternative therapies, including acupuncture, massage therapy, cupping therapy (bentosa), aromatherapy, yoga and meditation, and Hilot, utilizing medicinal plants such as Lagundi, Sambong, and Tsaang gubat to treat common ailments.
The group expressed gratitude to PRRM President Edicio dela Torre and Chair Erin Tanada for their support in integrating STP-HW into PRRM’s health programs. The partnership aims to expand the reach and impact of alternative medicine in the coming months.
