Cebu allocates P25 million for 456th founding anniversary, to hold free surgeries in province-wide health caravan
CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government has earmarked P25 million for the province’s 456th founding anniversary this August, with a significant portion of the budget set to fund a health caravan offering free surgical procedures to indigent residents, Governor Pamela Baricuatro said.
In a statement, Baricuatro noted that the medical mission goes beyond typical outreach services. “These are not just ordinary medical missions — they include surgical procedures,” she said.
The caravan, backed by several major private hospitals and health organizations, will offer both minor and major surgeries including thyroid, breast, and gallbladder operations, hernia repair, hemorrhoid treatment, orthopedic procedures, and cyst removals.
Participating institutions include:
- Chong Hua Hospital
- UCMed
- Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital
- Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center
- Perpetual Succour Hospital
- Sui Generis Inc.
- All-Terrain Medical Relief Organization (AMRO)
Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, health consultant to the Capitol, said the caravan will travel across key locations in the province throughout August. The schedule is as follows:
- August 7–8: Poro and Pilar, Camotes
- August 9–10: Bogo Provincial Hospital
- August 15–16: Bantayan Island
- August 16–17: Danao Provincial Hospital
- August 23–24: Balamban Provincial Hospital
- August 30–31: Carcar Provincial Hospital
Prospective patients must undergo screening on August 2 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at the Danao City Health Services Office.
“The true essence of the celebration is not just about festivity — it’s about delivering real public service to the people,” Baricuatro said.