ITOGON, Benguet – A total of 240 boys from the host and neighboring communities of the various operations of Benguet Corporation were added to the growing number of beneficiaries of community service interventions as the mining company took care of their circumcision for free.
Benguet Corp. wrapped up its series of Operation Tuli over the weekend in two of its host barangays in Itogon, Benguet, catering to 45 boys in Virac and 25 in Poblacion.
Last month, Benguet Corp., through its Irisan Lime Project, conducted its first circumcision campaign for the year in Irisan, Baguio City where 170 boys were accommodated.
Conducted alongside with the Operation Tuli in Virac and Poblacion was the Optical Mission with a total of 95 residents availing of the free eye check-up and consultation through Optometrist Dr. Shirley Anongos. There will be 80 among them, with priority given to indigent elderlies, who will also be given free corrective eyeglasses in order to improve their sight for them to be able to actively participate in community activities beneficial to their growth and development.
Beneficiaries in the circumcision program were also provided each with a one week supply of pain relievers and other necessary medicines supplied by Benguet Laboratories, Benguet Corp’s regular partner in its medical outreach programs, who also takes care of the needed medical staff.
This time, the circumcision was spearheaded by Doctors Vicky Palor, Melanie Clemente and Bernadette Arzadon. The local government units, on the other hand, also sent their barangay health workers to assist in the activity.
Benguet Corp’s Operation Tuli has now served close to 1,300 youngsters since 2008. It is one of the main health services funded by the mining company’s Social Development and Management Program, and is conducted every summer break in partnership with the LGU’s concerned.
By Dexter A. See
