27/05/2026
๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ต๐ฌ๐๐ต ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฎ, ๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ผ
Since 1995, Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines has continued its mission of bringing healthcare and compassion to underserved communities with limited access to medical services. For its 290th medical mission, the foundation extended its reach across rough seasโfrom Manila to Batangas Port, then to Calapan Portโbefore arriving in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, for consultations and treatments conducted at Victoria Plaza Hotel on May 23 and 24.
Over the course of two days, the mission served a total of 2,482 patients, including 862 dental consultations, 837 general medicine cases, 542 pediatric consultations, 126 OB-Gyne services, and 115 minor surgical procedures.
The mission was made possible through the collective efforts of Tzu Chi volunteers and staff, together with 46 doctors from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA), 53 Tzu Chi volunteers, 163 volunteers from the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Victoria, 25 personnel from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and nine volunteers from the neighboring municipality of Naujan.
Victoria Mayor Richard Inciong described the medical mission as a new and remarkable experience for the town.
โThis is my first medical mission with Tzu Chi Foundation. Our previous medical missions were not as organized as this. It feels like we are building a hospital here in Victoria. The way everything is organized by the foundation is very efficient. They taught us how to improve the flow and process of the medical mission,โ he said.
Throughout the activity, food and drinking water were distributed to patients, while free medicines were provided after consultations. Slippers were likewise given to beneficiaries, especially Indigenous Peoples and residents who arrived barefoot with muddy feet after traveling long distances from remote communities.
Before the day of the medical mission, information about the mission was disseminated through social media, barangay captains, and barangay health workers, resulting in a large turnout. The community response was overwhelmingly positive, with the rest of the local officials expressing gratitude and hopes for continued support for the municipality and beyond.
Dr. Leah Reyes, head of the Municipal Health Office of Victoria, said extensive preparations were made ahead of the medical mission. She noted that teams were assigned per function, covering logistics, medical support, venue arrangements, and coordination with partner agencies such as the Philippine National Police and General Services Office. Barangay captains also committed resources such as tents, tables, and chairs to support the activity.
โHealth is very important. Many cannot afford private hospitals, so this kind of medical mission is a big help for the people of Victoria,โ Reyes said.
Despite the summer heat and long queues, patients waited their turn as volunteers and staff assisted throughout the process. One of the missionโs priorities was serving Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Mangyan communities, who traveled long distances to receive care. Transportation support, including jeepneys, trucks, and police vehicles, was also provided for beneficiaries. The NCIP also ensured proper assistance and coordination for the needs of Mangyans.
From the Indigenous community, 25-year-old Marlyn Lepanyungan of Barangay Paitan, Naujan, arrived with her 3-year-old child, her 74-year-old grandmother-in-law Carmila Bato-Bato, and two grandchildren, Angela and Angelo.
During the pediatric consultation, Angelo was found to have tuberculosis and was immediately referred to the Municipal Health Office by Dr. Joan Bague-Grutas. The family was also provided with medicines and slippers, as they had arrived barefoot. The rest were checked and given medicines with proper instructions for intake.
โThe services were good. We did not spend anything because everything was free. The doctors were kind, attentive, and caring. We never felt different. They treated us with care and guided us properly. Thank you very much for understanding and helping us Indigenous people,โ Marlyn said.
Another beneficiary, 67-year-old Juana Valdez of Barangay San Gelacio, Victoria, walked about 15 minutes to reach the venue. She brought her older sister, who has high blood pressure and availed of general medicine services, and her grandchild, who underwent a free dental tooth extraction. Juana was also checked for back pain and received free medicines.
โThe whole process was fast and efficient. This is a big help for us farmers who cannot afford check-ups. Aside from not having time to visit clinics or hospitals, we usually endure the pain because we worry about the expenses,โ she said, leaving the venue extremely grateful and relieved.
Tzu Chi volunteer Josephine So noted that many patients were in critical condition, including children suffering from malnutrition and other severe health challenges. This highlighted the difficulty of access to healthcare in remote areas.
โItโs actually emotional to see the patients coming in. We know it is hard for them to travel just to get checked. Most of the children are weak and malnourished, they cannot stand on their own feet,โ she said.
Tzu Chi volunteer Molita Chua added that some Indigenous children were in alarming conditions. โWe saw an 11-year-old child who weighs only 10 kilos. It is very sad, they lack everything,โ she said, as volunteers distributed biscuits, candies, jellies, and water to patients inside the venue.
She also added, โTIMA doctors have a very good heart. Although they arrived late at night on May 22, they still did their best to serve those in need. In some cases, they referred patients to the LGU for continued care.โ
Dr. Maria Luisa Tan Gaw, a general pediatrician and TIMA member for 29 years, said many patients delayed seeking treatment due to financial hardship. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the importance of continuing outreach efforts.
She described volunteer service as a way of giving back for the blessings she has received, adding that Tzu Chiโs approach goes beyond treatment by focusing on education and long-term self-reliance.
Dr. Gaw added that she will continue volunteering โas long as her body allows,โ and encouraged younger doctors to take part in humanitarian missions as a way of giving back.
This medical mission revealed the persistent gaps in healthcare and access for remote and Indigenous communities, and the power of collective action in bridging them. The consultations and operations are moments of relief for patients who had endured illness in silence. This mission stood as a reminder that while the need remains great, compassion and cooperation continue to turn distance and difficulty into care and healing.
