More than 17,000 indigent Kapampangans have already benefited from regular medical missions sponsored by the family of philanthropist businessman Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda.
Last Saturday, the “Pamilya Pineda Medical Mission” served close to 2,500 residents in Barangay Tinajero, one of the depressed villages in this lahar-ravaged town.
The mission, spearheaded by Pampanga Second District Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and Lubao Mayor Esmeralda Pineda, brought teams of doctors and staff that gave free medical, dental and ophthalmology consultations, and medicines to the beneficiaries.
Free eyeglasses are also given out to elementary learners and teachers who have eye problems. At least 12,000 eyeglasses have already been distributed to the identified recipients.
Board Member Pineda-Cayabyab said their family opted for the free eyeglasses project to help students improve their reading and learning skills at an early age.
“Many young students don’t even recognize that they have poor eyesight so they lag behind in their studies. We want to address simple problems like the students’ inability to read what’s on the blackboard or textbooks because they have eye issues,” the provincial lawmaker said.
Members of the Pineda family, she admitted, all have poor eyesight and “we don’t want these young kids to suffer the same predicament that’s why we chose this (eyeglasses) project.”
Teachers in public elementary schools are also included among the recipients of the free eyeglasses.
“Instead of shelling out money to buy their eyeglasses, they could use their hard-earned money for other important family expenses. Plus, they can efficiently prepare their lesson plans, if they can see clearly,” Pineda-Cayabyab added.
Mayor Pineda, for her part, said the missions don’t end on consultations and free medicines. They can also assist is surgeries, if needed.
“All you have to do is register with our team and our doctors will recommend if surgeries are required. Then, we’ll provide the patients the necessary assistance,” the mayor explained.
The medical missions, usually held every Saturday, had been traveling all around Pampanga, particularly in depressed barangays to augment medical services given by the provincial government.
