Capitol to mark 456th Founding Anniversary with Caravan of Services

Local

INSTEAD of lavish celebrations, Cebu Province will mark its 456th Founding Anniversary with medical and surgical missions in remote communities.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro said the province will spend only half of the P25 million budget, redirecting the rest to a “Caravan of Services” that brings healthcare to underserved areas.

“I am very excited about this kay mao ni akong first founding anniversary na celebration. P25 million ang budget ani niya but I hope to only spend half of these,” she told reporters during a press conference at the Capitol.

The initiative will begin on August 7 to 8 with a joint medical mission and PhilHealth Konsulta Caravan in the island towns of Poro and Pilar in Camotes.

From there, weekend missions will continue across the province. On August 9 to 10, Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo will host major surgeries in partnership with Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, SuiGeneris Inc., and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF).

On August 15 to 16, Bantayan District Hospital will serve as the venue for general consultations and non-surgical services, including pediatric and geriatric care, dental check-ups, eye consultations, and free HIV screening.

A separate surgical mission will be held on August 16 to 17 at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao with support from Chong Hua Hospital and UCMed, focusing on specialized procedures such as thyroid and breast surgeries, gallbladder and hernia operations, anal fistula repair, peri-anal abscess treatment, and orthopedic surgeries.

Balamban will hold its medical mission on August 23 to 24 in coordination with the All-Terrain Medical Relief Organization Inc. (AMRO).

Services there will include orthopedic surgeries, general medical consultations, and minor procedures for cysts and lipomas. Prescreening for Balamban is set to start on August 2, with details to be finalized by the local government unit.

In Carcar City, the final leg of the caravan will take place on August 30 to 31, with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) as the lead partner.

The Carcar mission will provide a full range of general and specialized surgeries, including hemorrhoidectomy, gallbladder removal, thyroid and breast operations, and dental and eye services, while also accommodating walk-in consultations for minor health concerns.

Dr. Nicole Elisse Catalan, the governor’s daughter and public health consultant, said the missions will accommodate a minimum of 30 patients for major surgeries and up to 500 for consultations per site.

She described the project as “quite big,” citing the participation of leading hospitals and medical organizations across the province.

Services will include gallbladder and hernia surgeries, cyst and lipoma removals, orthopedic operations, thyroid and breast surgeries, gastrostomy, hemorrhoidectomy, and procedures for peri-anal abscesses and anal fistulas.

Eye and dental checkups, HIV screenings, and free legal consultations from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) will also be available. The Philippine Red Cross will conduct blood donation drives during the events.

All patients must undergo prescreening before being scheduled for surgeries. The first round of screenings will be held on August 2.

In Danao City, prescreening will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the City Health Services Office in coordination with the city government. Bogo City and Balamban will also begin their prescreening activities on the same day, with final venues and schedules to be announced by their respective LGUs.

Carcar’s prescreening schedule will be posted by the city government within the coming week.

In Bogo, the services offered will include laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hernia repair for all ages, minor surgeries for cysts and lumps, pediatric and geriatric consultations, orthopedic care, dental and eye services, HIV testing, legal consultations, and a blood donation drive.

In Danao, procedures will range from thyroid and breast surgeries, gallbladder and anal fistula operations, gastrostomy, peri-anal abscess treatment, hemorrhoidectomy, parotid gland removals, orthopedic interventions, and minor skin surgeries.

Bantayan’s non-surgical services will cover routine medical consults, diabetes and hypertension screening, dental and eye care, and HIV testing, with possible referrals for surgeries during later missions.

Balamban and Carcar will both cater to patients requiring major surgical procedures but will also provide access to general medical assistance, diagnostic check-ups, and free medicines.

Catalan said the health caravan serves as both a stopgap solution and a long-term vision for public health in Cebu.

“The intention is for this to not be a one-time event. This is a kickstart — we want to do this regularly, hopefully monthly or quarterly,” she said.

Governor Baricuatro emphasized that the initiative is sustainable, given the Capitol’s existing health budget and the strong support from the private sector.

“Kaya gud naa tay ma gastohan ani,” she added, assuring residents that these missions are only the beginning of a more responsive, accessible healthcare system for the province.

Coordination meetings for upcoming missions in Balamban and Carcar City are ongoing. Residents are encouraged to coordinate with their local governments and participate in the scheduled prescreening sessions to benefit from the free medical and surgical services.(MyTVCebu)