Medical mission serves 3 hinterland barangays

Solid Earth Development Corp. (SEDC) sent back three separate medical missions to the hinterlands of San Fernando, Cebu over the recent months.

With the support of Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc. (TCPI), it mobilized resources and volunteers to serve a total of 1,958 residents who hardly have access to medical attention.

SEDC director and chief technical adviser Hiroyuki Sakakibara personally oversaw the three missions in Barangay Ilaya, then in Barangay Tañañas, and in Barangay Cabatbatan.

The mission recorded similar cases in the three barangays, including common cough and colds, stomachache, arthritis, body malaise, diabetes, headache, fever, urinary tract infection, and upper respiratory tract infection.

TCPI senior vice president (SVP) for operations Kazuhiko Ichizawa joined the volunteer employees in Ilaya with SVP for marketing Takashi Miyashita, who also joined the Tañañas mission with his wife Yasuko and daughter Masako.

Cabatbatan barangay captain Tomas Baclaan took the SEDC mission as “great blessings” that benefitted 643 residents, as he expressed hope the company would continue providing his barangay with social development programs.

In the same breath, Casiano T. Canoy of Tañañas underscored that SEDC and TCPI are exceptional companies that are conscious in ameliorating the lives of those in need.

“(Kami) nanghinaot nga buligan ug molambo pa ang inyong kompanya sa mga umaabot pang mga panahon,” he said.

His constituent Lucena Alia, 48, mother of six, is thankful for the medicines she and her children got. “Construction worker ra gayud akong bana, maong usahay dili nalang kami makagahin sa pagpalit og tambal tungod sa kawad-on ug mahal napod kaayo ang presyo karon sa mga tambal ug labaw na ang pagpakonsulta.”

“Daghan jud namo diri sa Tañañas ang mapasalamaton. Ang akong bana driver sa multicab ug ang kita halos kuwangon ra para sa among pamilya,” expressed Felisa Genelazo, 47, also a mother of six who received needed vitamin supplements.

Cabatbatan widow Tening Abapo got pleased that her malnourished grandson Christopher, 8, now have the needed supplement and medicines for his recurring common cough and colds.

“Igo ra gyud unta mi sa mga dahon-dahon o’ herbal alang sa akong apo. Igo ra intawn ta sa pagtinda-tinda,” Apabo said, adding “nanghinaot mi sa kalamboan sa kompanya para makatabang pa sa ubang kabos nga nanginahanglan.”

The series of medical missions since 2005 have to date served 24,137 patients.