The Gift of Love Medical, Dental, Optical and Humanitarian Mission will visit all 11 towns of Catanduanes, as well as the Virac District Jail, this Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2024 as it marks its third visit in sharing life and love to deserving fellow Catandunganons in selected venues.
Sponsored by the United Catanduanes San Diego (UCSD) and Friends from all over the world headed by US-based Dr. Oscar Enriquez, the mission is held in close partnership with the Most Reverend Manolo de los Santos of the Diocese of Virac, Governor Joseph “Boboy” Cua, the 11 municipal mayors through their Municipal Health Offices and Rural Health Units, the Catanduanes Medical Society (CMS), the Philippine Dental Association (PDA) Catanduanes Chapter, and a group of optometrists, pharmacists, nurses, medical technologists and midwives.
The Lady Eagles Club of Catanduanes, the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity and Sorority, and other civic-spirited volunteers will also be joining the team to provide services for the soup kitchen.
A pre-assessment on the needs of the different cluster barangays located around the selected mission churches and small parishes was conducted to ensure that the target beneficiaries will be served according to their needs.
The concerned parish priests, in consultation with their respective Parish Pastoral and Youth Councils and barangay officials, will assist the team in identifying beneficiaries who are deserving of the services extended by the project.
Aside from UCSD and Friends, the other major international sponsors are the Texan Friends of Catanduanes (TFC), Standard Medical Clinic of Southeast Texas, Mrs. Salvacion O. Enriquez and family, Standard Family Properties LLC, Lone Star Standard Medical Group PA, and Catandunganons and Friends from the USA.
With the theme “Gift of Love Keeps on Giving,” the UCSD aims to bring the Mission closer to the grassroots and reach as many far-flung villages of the island province.
Among the services it will provide are medical consultations with free medicines, dental services, optical services with free reading glasses, pre-natal checkup and medical consultation for children, and gift-giving (rice and gifts).
Mission churches and small parishes covering depressed barangays located outside of the población of the 11 municipalities were chosen in consultation with Bishop Manolo de los Santos to give a chance to poor and deserving constituents to avail of the offered services without their spending for costly transportation, with considerations on the accessibility and availability of covered venue.
It will allow the US balikbayans to visit isolated and depressed communities so they can see and experience the way of life of their poor brothers and sisters in the barangays and motivate them to come back and continue to share their resources.
The mission starts with a Meet and Greet between the UCSD Balikbayans, guests and local partners on Jan. 28, along with a briefing at ICSA Social Hall after the 8:30 AM Thanksgiving Mass.
Here’s the rest of the schedule: Jan. 29 – Shrine of the Holy Innocents, Sto. Nino, Virac, and St. Alfonso Maria Fusco Parish, Lictin, San Andres; Jan. 30 – Hitoma Parish in Caramoran, Good Counsel Mission Church in Tariwara, Pandan, and Bugao Parish in Bagamanoc; Jan. 31 – St. Paul VI Mission Church in Paniquihan, Baras, and St. Pedro Calungsod Mission Church in Sicmil Gigmoto; Feb. 1 – Mount Carmel Mission Church in Tambongon, Viga, and Our Lady of the Universe Mission Church in Mabini, Panganiban; Feb. 2 – St. Kowalska Parish in Bagong Bayan, Bato, and Mary of Divine Love Mission Church in Progreso, San Miguel; and, Feb. 3 – Virac District Jail, Calatagan Tibang.
A Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will be held on Feb. 2 to honor and thank all the volunteers and partners who, in one way or another, contributed to the success of this year’s Humanitarian Mission.