DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – Free surgical services for cleft lip and palate patients will soon be available for underprivileged children in Pangasinan after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) members authorized Governor Ramon Guico III to ink a pact with the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) for the implementation cleft care program in the province.
In an approved resolution authored by SP Members Shiela Marie Baniqued and Jerry Agerico Rosario on Monday, Guico was given authority to enter and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PBM executive director Persida Benedictos to conduct a medical and surgical mission in Pangasinan.
The PBM, which is a non-stock, non-profit, and non-government organization established in 1937 that conducts medical and surgical missions throughout the country, has chosen Pangasinan as one of its target areas to spread its mission of providing free cleft surgical services to underprivileged children who are born with cleft lip or palate deformities.
The resolution stated that surgical services would be held on a schedule to be agreed upon by the PBM and the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital (PPH), Western Pangasinan District Hospital, and Mangatarem District Hospital, depending on the number of patients in the province.
“The program would greatly help in promoting the well-being of less-fortunate Pangasinenses, especially in boosting the self-esteem and confidence of those harelip and cleft palate patients from various parts of the province,” the resolution stated.
The Cleft Surgical Outreach Mission Project is set to be conducted on January 11, 19, 20, 21, and 22, next year with around 20 to 30 patients at the PPH in San Carlos City. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
