BAGUIO CITY – Hedcor, the renewable energy asset manager of AboitizPower, and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. have invested over ₱1.4 million to improve healthcare in its host communities. Through medical and dental missions, as well as essential medicines and supplies, these efforts aim to enhance access to care in Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Sur areas where travel costs and distance often make medical services hard to reach.
Under the Community Health Empowerment Program (CHEP), Hedcor and its partners allocated ₱650,000.00 to deliver dental and medical services, including comprehensive check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene education. This support reached multiple host communities, benefiting 125 patients in Barangay Bineng and 165 patients from the La Trinidad Indigenous Peoples Organization (LTIPO), as well as 172 patients in Barangays Otucan Sur and Otucan Norte in Bauko, Mountain Province.
These healthcare efforts were made possible through collaboration with Saint Louis University (SLU)-School of Medicine’s Medical Outreach Missions Fellowship Initiative (MOMFI), Cordillera College-School of Nursing, University of Baguio (UB)-College of Dentistry, SABATABATU Health Og-ogbo Association, and barangay health workers.
In addition, Hedcor and Aboitiz Foundation invested ₱800,000 in medicines and hygiene kits, benefiting thousands of residents. Maintenance medicines for conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as essential vitamins and dental supplies, were made available. These resources reached 395 elementary students in Barangay Alno, La Trinidad, Benguet, and households in Barangays Alapang, Sabangan, Bakun, and Alilem.
Hedcor President and COO Rolando G. Pacquiao emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “In the Cordillera region, limited access to healthcare is a critical issue. By bringing vital medical services and supplies closer to our host communities, we help address this gap, ultimately improving well-being and fostering resilience.”
Local leaders affirmed the value of these interventions. Otucan Sur Barangay Captain Alfonso Ligos noted that farmers can now access medical services without bearing heavy travel costs.
“The sense of relief knowing that Hedcor is bringing these vital medical services closer to us is truly a lifeline. In these challenging times, it’s a blessing to have our health needs addressed without the burden of travel and expenses. We can now direct the money we would have spent on medical treatment toward other needs,” Ligos shared.
Meanwhile, Barangay Captain Dixon Wakat of La Trinidad shared that Bineng is one of the most remote barangays, far from any hospital or health center. “Not everyone can afford treatment, especially with the limited supply of medicine. The medical mission has been a huge relief, particularly for those who cannot afford transportation or medication,” he shared.
La Trinidad Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Richard Wacnisen highlighted that these initiatives serve as a lifeline for community members facing chronic diseases and financial hardships. “With Hedcor’s efforts, IP communities gain equitable healthcare access. It’s not just about meeting obligations, it’s about nurturing partnerships that promote change, sustainability, and growth,” he said.
By working together with community leaders, local health workers, and educational institutions, Hedcor and Aboitiz Foundation continue to bridge gaps in healthcare access. Their commitment ensures that communities benefit not only from renewable energy generation but also from improved health services, ultimately contributing to long-term development and well-being.
