DAVAO CITY – Over 1,700 residents from nine barangays in Davao City have received free healthcare services through the Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong Medical Mission conducted from January to early May this year.
The outreach program, led by the offices of First District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II, deployed doctors, volunteer health workers, and medical teams directly to communities.
Services included free medical health consultations, eye examinations, distribution of medicines, and other basic health assistance for residents of different age groups, especially children and senior citizens.
Data obtained from the First District Office showed that 1,187 residents underwent medical consultations, while 570 availed of eye checkups and related services during the covered period. Organizers also distributed meals and drinking water to patients.
According to the Duterte father-and-son, the initiative aims to improve access to healthcare for residents who may have difficulty traveling to hospitals or clinics due to distance or financial constraints.
“The program is intended to make healthcare more accessible to residents who may find it difficult to visit medical facilities,” Rep. Duterte said, adding that through this outreach activity, the residents received timely basic medical attention.
The most recent activity was held on Wednesday, May 6, in Barangay 2-A, where the organizers served over 200 residents. Of these, 147 received health consultations while 75 underwent eye examinations.
Barangay 2-A Captain Carlos S. Garcia thanked the offices behind the program, saying the medical mission helps ease the financial burden on residents while allowing them to receive immediate care without transportation and consultation costs.
Residents expressed appreciation for the free services. Melanie Cocjin, 40, said she and her child were able to consult a doctor without worrying about costs, adding that her child was diagnosed with an allergy after experiencing recurring coughs.
Another beneficiary, Josephine Ampong, a resident of the same barangay, said the initiative helped families save money while addressing health concerns, noting that the free consultations and medicines enabled her to seek prompt medical attention.
Volunteer physician Dr. Jose Louie Paras said most patients seen during the missions had common conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses that require regular monitoring.
He added that medicines were provided and prescriptions were refilled for patients requiring maintenance, ensuring that those with chronic or ongoing health conditions could maintain their medication regimens and follow-up care without interruption.
The Pulong-Pulong ni Pulong Medical Mission continues as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community-based healthcare delivery and bring essential services closer to underserved areas in Davao City. (By Ivy Tejano)
