The Maximo B. Dalog Foundation Incorporated, in partnership with Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Ifugao State University (IFSU) Eye Center, and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), launched an eye mission for senior citizens and those with other eye problems in Bauko, Mountain Province on June 14, 2024.
The eye mission is a medical mission concentrating on eye problems for senior citizens and those with other eye problems. The one-day event offered free eye check-ups, prescribed eye medicines like reading glasses and eye drops, and referrals for surgery if needed to the IFSU Eye Center. Transportation and lab assistance was also sponsored by the Maximo B. Dalog Foundation Incorporated and Congressman Maximo Dalog, Jr.’s assistance program.
According to Atty. Cyphine Maxcel Dalog-Duclan, treasurer of Maximo B. Dalog Foundation Incorporated, this initiative comes in response to the lack of ophthalmologists in Mountain Province. The first Eye Mission was launched in October 2015 and another one was held last year in Bontoc when the Bontoc Senior Federation president asked for another eye mission as senior citizens clamored for such service. This year’s mission expanded to Bauko to better serve the needs of the surrounding municipalities.
Atty. Dalog-Duclan added that they noticed that there are so many people with eye problems in Mountain Province that are not being addressed due to lack of specialists, particularly ophthalmologists so they took this as an opportunity to invite them.
“This is why we invited doctors in partnership with the IFSU eye center, Dr. Reyes, the former head hospital of Maynila together with Dr. Archi, a resident ophthalmologist at IFSU eye center,” said Dalog-Duclan
An estimated of more than 200 beneficiaries were reached and some of them are from Bauko, Tadian, Bontoc, and Sabangan. Several patients were referred to the IFSU Eye Center for surgery, while others received eye drops for minor eye problems.
Aiza L. Abiasan, Barangay Health Worker Federation Association secretary and one of the facilitators of the event, highlighted the benefit of this activity which extended in Bauko to reach surrounding areas that might not have access to similar services.
“Many people who are not reached by other agencies are being served, we are grateful to the foundation of Maximo Dalog because it brought services right here to our place, serving not only Bauko but also other municipalities,” Abiasan expressed.