A medical mission organized by the Philippine Golf Club (PGC) of New England, in partnership with the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) of New England, brought essential healthcare services to more than 250 indigent residents from 26 barangays on Valentine’s Day in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Held at the Victorias City Hall, the event showcased the group’s dedication to supporting underserved communities.
This mission marked the second consecutive year of PGC of New England’s outreach initiative in conjunction with their participation in the PAL Interclub Tournament. Their first endeavor took place in Cagayan de Oro City during the tournament’s 75th edition.
This year’s outreach was notably more organized essentially because of the group’s partnerships with PMA of New England, City Government of Victorias, and the Office of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Secretary Kiko Benitez.
Driven by a commitment to service, PGC Executive Committee members Jose Jonathan “Jojo” Antonio and Dr. Ollan Ona highlighted the group’s mission of gratitude: “Our team is keenly aware of how blessed we are to travel and participate in this prestigious tournament every year. We wanted to elevate our involvement by doing something meaningful for the local community. This year, we were privileged to collaborate with PMA of New England, led by Dr. Maria Batillo, who mobilized their medical resources for the mission. We are deeply grateful to Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez for providing essential logistical support.”
The mission offered a range of services, including medical consultations, dental check-ups, and eye examinations. Recipients also received prescription medicines and eyeglasses at no cost. Local volunteer doctors, along with wives of golfers, classmates, and relatives from Bacolod and Manila, contributed their time and expertise to ensure the success of the outreach effort.
The theme for this year’s tournament –“Bacolod, Let’s Par Tee!” — extended beyond the greens to create a lasting impact on the Victorias community.
The organizers expressed appreciation to Secretary Kiko Benitez, Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez, City Legal Officer Atty. Lindolf De Castro, City Health Officer Dr. Ric Carlitos, Mr. Gervic Pastrana, PMA of New England, RACU of Massachusetts General Hospital, members of the PGC of New England, and Philippine Airlines, all of whom made the mission possible.
Through these collaborative efforts, this year’s outreach reaffirmed not only the rich history of the PAL Interclub, but also the power of compassion and community engagement in making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need. | NWI
