PHILSAGA mining medical, dental mission treated 1,000 poor patients in Agusan 

by Ben Serrano

      March 27, 2011

            ROSARIO, Agusan del Sur (PNA) - Fulfilling commitment for corporate responsibility to host communities and even in communities already very far from their mining areas, PHILSAGA mining firm has recently conducted free medical and dental mission to  a little over 1,000 children, adults and young adults in three villages of this mineral rich town of  Agusan del Sur.

            Mrs. Dominga Abayan, 46, a lumad and one of the beneficiaries of the mission said her three children including her who had health problems were checked up and treated by Doctors and Dentists.

The Abayan family was also one of the many poorest of the poor recipient families in Sitio Masabong who also become instant beneficiaries in the mining firm's free medicine distribution apart from getting medical and dental treatment.

Mrs. Abayan expressed gratitude that she and her family were included as one of the more than 1,000 beneficiaries who belonged to the poorest of the poor in Sitio Masabong, Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur.

Teary-eyed Abayan who was also given free snacks, breakfast and lunch packed meals approached and thanked PHILSAGA President retired Army Col, Samuel G. Afdal who was present at the mission.

  Majority of the more than 1,000 beneficiaries had health and dental problems ranging from flu, various respiratory illnesses , digestive and skin health woes, anemia, malnutrition and other health problems mostly members of the indigenous peoplee

The mission served three sitios of Barangay Bayugan 3 who were all given free rides to and from medical mission venue.

 The free medical and dental mission held at Masabong Elementary School in Sitio Masabong, Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur had eight medical doctors and dentists, eight nurses and five midwives to serve patient beneficiaries of the mission.

Dr. Nelson Perez, Hospital Director of Philsaga Mining Hospital which is owned by the mining firm told PNA five medical doctors and dentists, nurses and midwives were from the mining firm’s hospital while other health workers were from different local government units of Agusan del Sur.

PHILSAGA Hospital Administrator Pearl Marie Afdal Carpio told PNA providing free medicines and conducting medical and dental mission is a quarterly activity of the mining firm.

“We’re doing this quarterly for the past five years apart from providing free health care programs to our workers and their immediate families, our hospital is not only open to the more than 2,000 mining workers but to the host community residents and the public as well”, Carpio said.

Carpio said that aside from taking care health of the people, the mining firm has also provided scholarship program for high school and college students to the mining firm’s host communities and even on communities already very far from Agusan del Sur, like in Surigao and Agusan provinces.

PHILSAGA Mining Hospital which is located at the mining site in Banahaw, Barangay Bayugan 3, Rosario, Agusan del Sur has 25 beds and is capable of conducting major surgeries.

The mining firm has also build a high school, the PHILSAGA Foundation High School catering free tuitions to students of their mine workers, says Dr. Victor P. Salvado, Mindanao Philsaga Foundation President.

At present, PHILSAGA Foundation High School has 512 students from first year to fourth year with 15 classrooms and 15 school teachers with seven non-teaching staff. The high school provides school bus to children students of their mine workers and the public for free. (PNA/ Ben Serrano)