2,038 PATIENTS SERVED AT THE MEDICAL MISSION IN MANKAYAN, BENGUET

May 31, 2025 Environment

More than 2,000 locals were served at the 6^th Biennial Medical-Dental Mission held in Mankayan, Benguet on May 22-23, 2025. This groundbreaking medical outreach program is a tri-partnership of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC), Lepanto High School/Lepanto National HS Alumni Association, Inc. (LHS/LNHSAAI), and the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Mankayan Municipality.

Started in Y2012, this biyearly volunteer-driven program aims not only to provide free medical consultation and intervention, including medicines, to the residents of the 12 barangays of Mankayan, but also to promote collaboration and synergy among the private business firms, the local government units, the non-government units, and other sectors in the community.

A total of 2,038 patients were served as follows: 652 medical consultations, 559 dental, 369 ophthalmology, 219 X-rays, 92 ultrasound, 61 circumcisions, 34 ECG, 31 other minor surgeries, and 21 emergency (ER) cases. Two hundred twelve (212) volunteers participated in the 2-day medical outreach program, composed of 68 medical professionals, 92 allied health care workers, and 52 non-medical volunteers from the LHS/LNHSAAI, the RHU of Mankayan, and the Lepanto Hospital, headed by Dr. Zerubabel D. Pateña, augmented by the Northern Benguet District Hospital, University of Baguio-School of Dentistry, Barangay Health Workers, and Provincial Health Office.

During the appreciation program, LCMC President & COO Mr. Bryan U. Yap expressed his immense gratitude to both the RHU of LGU-Mankayan, headed by Dr. Fabiola R. Gabriel, and the LHS/LNHS Alumni Association, Inc., led by its incumbent president, Mr. Jess A. Basuel, for their strong collaboration and support in this life-changing medical mission. Aside from sending homegrown medical professionals and volunteers, the LNS/LNHSAAI also donated medicines, wheelchairs, and other medical paraphernalia for the mission. The RHU of Mankayan also contributed necessary medicines.

“This year’s medical mission is meaningful and special to us because you have chosen to give back to the community of Mankayan where you were born, raised, and educated. In its purest form, this is Mankayan giving back to Mankayan.” – says Mr. Bryan Yap. Mrs. Arsenisa Onangey, one of the patients who lined up, expressed gratitude to LCMC, RHU-Mankayan, and LHS/LNHSAAI for holding the mission and continuously prioritizing the health of the people of Mankayan.

Also, a former teacher of LNHS, she expressed immense pride for all the alumni who shared their skills and time to give back to their community. LCMC Vice President for HR and Administration, Mr. Knestor Jose Y. Godino, imparted, “In a world increasingly driven by material success and individual achievement, volunteerism, which is the framework of the 6^th biennial medical and dental mission, emerges as a refreshing counter-narrative.”