Homonhon residents benefit from Magellan Landing ceremony

Residents of Homonhon received free medical consultations from partner healthcare providers during the medical mission. 
(Photo courtesy of Eastern Samar Provincial Information Office)

GUIUAN, Eastern Samar (PIA) — To commemorate the 504th anniversary of the Magellan Landing and the first Philippine-Spanish Contact on Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, the provincial government provided free medical and dental services to 477 residents.

The medical mission, conducted in two barangays, served 212 residents of Barangay Casuguran on March 15 and 265 residents of Barangay Pagbabangnan on March 16.

Services included free medical consultations, examinations, dental checkups and laboratory tests, facilitated by medical professionals from Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital, the Department of Health Eastern Samar, Rural Health Unit (RHU) Guiuan and Albino Duran Memorial Hospital.

 

 

 

Kenneth Dela Cruz Montalban, a parent whose child was circumcised, highlighted the significant financial relief.

“These free services save us considerable expense because without them, we would have to travel to Guiuan, incurring P400 in round-trip fare, meal costs and circumcision fees, totaling approximately P2,000. Unlike here, we came here at no cost,” Montalban said.

Dr. Maria Clarinda Surpia-Gerodias, officer-in-charge of Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital, emphasized the mission’s impact on underserved communities.

“These medical services have a big impact on the community because these areas are difficult to reach from our mainland. So, we are bringing these projects of the governor to their homes so they have nothing else to worry about but to come and avail. All we ask for is their cooperation for their welfare,” Gerodias said.

 

This annual medical mission underscores the provincial government’s commitment to delivering essential healthcare services to remote areas of Eastern Samar. (SEJ/PIA Eastern Samar)