A MEDICAL and dental mission, dubbed as Alay sa Cabuyao 2010, will be held on Saturday, January 23, at the Mt. Cabuyao Chapel, sitio Cabuyao, Poblacion, Tuba.
Doctors and nurses will be coming from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and Rotary District 3780. Free medicines will also be provided.
The activity is spearheaded by the Communications, Electronics and Information System Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (CEISSAFP) under Brigadier General Ricardo B. Butalid Jr., in partnership with Rotary District 3780, PMA, Toyota-Baguio, Digitel Philippines, Petron-Harrison, Benguet Provincial Office, Tuba LGU and media pool Northern Luzon led by ABS CBN-NL, Bombo Radyo Philippines, and the National Broadcasting Network.
Butalid said he wishes better life and health conditions for residents of Mt. Cabuyao.
Having visited the area as a plebe in 1974 and then as a young captain in the 80s, climbing towers as a promising signal officer, he said he is happy to go back to the area in a medical and dental mission.
Captain Lynette Flores, public information officer of PMA, said having known of the devastation brought about by typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy in Mt. Cabuyao, it is proper to bring medical services to the victims' places and serve them.
Rotarian Ariel Mendoza said he welcomes the idea to hold the mission at the early part of the year "to bring about a trend of selfless service and volunteerism to a place towering high up in Baguio."
The project is a repeat of what was done last year in Cabuyao where many upland residents benefited.
Mt. Cabuyao has become the pilot project site of Rotary International District 3780 after a pilgrimage trek last year.
Cris David of Toyota Baguio said medical missions are part of the company's thrusts in 2010.
"It is a feeling of satisfaction and self actualizing having some people to help and share life with even just for a day," he said.
He added this is also an opportunity for the group to check on the trees they planted last year.
Other participants to the activity include the Aagapay Uno, 1st Benguet Ready Reserve Battalion, Baguio Mountaineers and other volunteer group members affiliated with the stakeholders.
Captain Mario Recentes of CEISSAFP based in Camp Allen said they welcome other agencies and volunteer groups who would like to join in the endeavor. Those interested may contact (074) 426-6103 or cellphone number 0927-332-2990 for details. (Joseph Zambrano)