Medical Mission Team in Action – with Dr. Warren Gabrillo III, PMASC President (left photo) in Carcar City and Dr. Neda Ballon, UERM-MASSC Past President with Dr. Ed Banez, Over-all Mission Coordinator (right photo) in Cavite City together with mission volunteers.
LOS ANGELES, March 5, 2025 – Members of the Philippine Medical Association of Southern California (PMASC) and University of the East Ramon Magsaysay – Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERM – MAASC) mostly doctors, nurses, and paramedical personnel and community volunteers from Los Angeles, California conducted and performed medical and dental mission, gift giving and feeding program for the underserved families in the City of Carcar, Province of Cebu and City of Cavite, Province of Cavite.
The PMASC under its current President Dr. Warren Gabrillo III spearheaded the mission in Carcar City on January 31st to February 4th supported by President -Elect Dr. Agnes Joaquin and Past-President Dr. Salvador Arella and his wife Dr. Emma Arrella together with 70 members of the medical mission team in coordination with local officials from the office of Mayor Patrick Barcena. More than a thousand patients mostly adults and children received primary care and dental services, free medicines including multivitamins for all ages. Hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol problems and arthritis are the usual medical conditions including upper respiratory problems like colds, and flu-like symptoms were common. A gift giving and feeding program for 250 children was also part of PMASC humanitarian mission in the city. Backpacks, school supplies, chocolates and Jollibee meals were provided including mascot entertainment to the delight of the children. The team went back to Manila on February 4th to prepare for the next humanitarian mission in Cavite City.
On February 5th, Dr. Rita Guimaelon, UERM – MAASC President and Dr. Neda Ballon Reyes, Past President together with 60 mission volunteers proceeded to Cavite City to complete the 2nd half of the medical mission in partnership with the Office of Cavite City Mayor Denver Chua. More than 1,500 patients were served in the three-day mission, 80 patients received minor surgical procedures and 400 patients were provided dental and oral care treatment. A relief distribution was conducted for 600 families who are victims of the recent fires and floods located in Barangay 5 and Barangay 7 of the city. The affected families received kilos of rice, canned goods, noodle and assorted groceries including hundreds of loafs bread donated by Gardenia Bakery. A feeding program was also conducted for 500 children with entertainment.
PMASC and UERM-MAASC would like to take this opportunity to give thanks to the Lord and to those who made this medical mission possible – Carcar and Cavite city officials, the mission donors, and the dedicated doctors, nurses, dentists and paramedical personnel both from United State and Philippines who continue to provide their valuable time and effort in helping our nation in need, one barangay, one community at a time, said Dr. Ed Banez, Over-All Mission Coordinator.
