The community of Rizal, on the Philippine island of Palawan, takes up 9% of the island’s land area and is home to 56,000 people. Nonetheless, residents face significant challenges accessing the healthcare they need. There is only one hospital and optical and dental clinics are 200km away in the island’s capital town of Puerto Princesa.
Recognizing this gap, ECLOF Philippines launched a mission to bring essential health services to the people of Rizal through its community welfare program. Partnering with the Municipality of Rizal, Palawan Medical City, and the Philippine Red Cross, ECLOF crafted a day dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps for the community.
The Municipal Gym was transformed into a bustling hub of care. With 69 dedicated volunteers, the team served 333 individuals, providing general check-ups, blood typing, sugar and uric testing, first aid training, dengue awareness and hygiene promotion. The dental team treated 84 patients, while the optical station assisted 114 individuals with free eye drops and reading glasses.
Despite time constraints and logistical challenges, the volunteers’ unwavering passion and the collaborative effort made a lasting impact. As a token of gratitude, organic black rice from ECLOF’s Agri Center was given to partners, symbolizing fruitful collaboration.
This health initiative underscores ECLOF’s dedication to holistic service and community empowerment, addressing economic, physical, and emotional needs. Each patient, from toddlers to seniors, left the town’s covered court with free medicines, prescriptions, additional learnings, and renewed hope for their better health.
