The Sugar Industry Foundation, Inc. (SIFI) organized medical-dental missions in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, in partnership with Panay Federation of Sugarcane Farmers, Inc. (PANAYFED) and the Planters’ Association of Southern Negros, Inc. (PASON), respectively. These events were separately facilitated in cooperation with Province of Iloilo and the Province of Negros Occidental.
SIFI and PANAYFED linked with the Local Government of Barotac Viejo, with Barangay Nueva Invencion as the chosen community for the event. Aside from being a large community of sugarcane workers, Barangay Nueva Invencion also has Indigenous Peoples as residents.
The medical-dental mission benefitted 191 individuals through free medical consultations, with 40 heads availed of free dental services.
Alongside the healthcare services, the PhilHealth Yaman ang Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) promoted a registration and educational campaign to the attendees of the event. This was facilitated to extend broader social protection coverage to the community.
In Negros Occidental, SIFI and PASON coordinated with the Local Government of Binalbagan, with Barangay Payao as the selected community for the medical-dental mission. The Barangay holds deep historical influence to the province, with a large community of sugarcane workers residing there.
The event was held in the barangay covered court helped 193 beneficiaries through free medical consultations. A total of 32 sugar workers and dependents availed the free dental services including tooth extraction. Additionally, free blood sugar screening was provided by the Provincial Health Office of Negros Occidental.
Both medical and dental services were aided by free medicines. These missions were made possible by the doctors, dentists, and assistants who volunteered, together with the partners from the respective local government units.
SIFI also appreciates the support of PANAYFED through Mrs. Dulce Blas (SIFI Board of Trustee), alongside the EDAP Coordinators from Iloilo Planters’ Association, Panay Sugarcane Producers Association, Inc., and Western Iloilo Sugarcane Planters Association, Inc., and with the employees and staff of PASON, led by their President, Dr. Agripino Randy Laviña.
