CONCEPCION, Tarlac – Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Pampanga-based
businessman Dr. Irineo “Bong’ Alvaro on Tuesday hosted a medical
mission here aimed at helping poor people living in far-flung areas.
Hontiveros, who was warmly welcomed by town and village officials ,
said “this is our little way of helping people especially during the pandemic.” She said their mobile health clinic gave free medical diagnostics and tests such as x-ray, blood chem, ECG, ultrasound and other tests.
“Our project is very timely because people are now afraid of going to
hospitals due to the spread of the Covid 19. They also don’t need to
spend money for their check-up,” said the first-term senator who is
expected to seek re-election next year.
The project, which was recently launched in Barangay Turu in
Magalang, Pampanga, is sponsored by the office of Hontiveros and the
Bridges of Benevolent Initiatives Foundation (BBIF) of Midori Hotel
Clark headed by Alvaro.
Alvaro, for his part, said people will spend as much as P20,000 pesos
for the medical services they offer for free.
“This is needed so that we will know if we need to improve something
in our body. We know very well COVID-19 attacks a a weak body of a
person,” said Alvaro.
Alvaro was born raised in Barangay San Jose here where the medical
mission was held. People greeted him warmly when he arrived at the San
Jose covered court.
Alvaro said they will also hold the same mobile medical mission in
Nueva Ecija and Paniqui in Tarlac. It was also held in Dinalupihan,
Bataan.
“We hope to reach many places in the whole of Luzon. We want to
sustain this project,” he added.
Atty. Joel Baluyut, vice mayor of Concepcion, expressed gratitude to
Hontiveros and Alvaro for deciding to hold the medical mission in
their town. He said he had asked them to do the same project soon