Weeks after the Taal volcano eruption, residents of Sitio Mahabang Buhangin, Barangay Maria PaZ, in Tanauan , Batangas, received medical assistance on March 7.
The community, which is home to 170 families, was the first beneficiary of the medical mission organized by the South Central Luzon Bishops Conference (SCLBC) humanitarian mission Kapit-Bisig.
“We understand the health risk brought by the Taal volcano’s eruption to the communities within the danger zone,” said Diocese of Cavite Bishop Emiliano Domingo, who joined the Kapit-Bisig medical mission.
The bishop said Kapit-Bisig seeks to contribute to the efforts of bringing medical assistance in places still suffering the effects of the eruption and where health care is very much needed.
“Today’s undertaking not only gives face to the humanitarian efforts of SCLBC Kapit-Bisig,” Bishop Domingo said, “but to the mission of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente as we uphold human dignity at a time of suffering and situation of calamity.”
The medical mission offered Mahabang Buhangin residents with free medical check-up and medicines, and psychosocial intervention and feeding for children.
Kapit-Bisig medical mission was made successful with the support of volunteer doctors and nurses from St. Victoria Hospitalit in Marikina City, led by Dr. Ted Sanchez, Dr. Judy Agular and Dr. Bryan Aguilar.
Diocese of Tarlac priests Fr. Eumer Pascual and Erwin Marquita, with the help of a group of students from Aglipay Central Theological Seminary (ACTS), composed the psychosocial team.
The medical mission was also supported by volunteers from the congregation of the Parish of our Lady of Good Voyage and Peace in Malaking Pulo, Tanaunan, and local barangay health workers.
Kapit-Bisig will continue to conduct medical missions as part of its services to, and in support to the recovery efforts of the families and communities that were heavily affected by the catastrophic volcanic eruption.
