ILOILO City – The World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), in partnership with MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), successfully conducted a two-day major pediatric surgical mission at Western Visayas Medical Center on June 28-29, 2025. This initiative provided free, comprehensive surgical care to 22 identified beneficiaries.
“‘Yung program natin na ito is a collaboration with MORE Power so nagpapasalamat ulit kami sa pagtulong ng MORE Power at sa ibang donors specifically for this mission ang naging particular is ‘yung pagbibigay ng libreng operasyon sa mga bata. Ang pinaka-goal ng organization is someday, ma-address natin ang surgical backlog. So mabawasan natin ang naghihintay na pasyente,” said Dr. Lester Suntay, president and CEO of WSFP.
He emphasized the organization’s commitment to delivering the highest quality surgical care to children by partnering with local government units, including the Iloilo City and Provincial governments, as well as corporate and community stakeholders.
This mission was made possible through MORE Power and its key account partners who actively participated as responsible corporate citizens of Iloilo. Their collaboration, alongside the Iloilo City and Provincial governments, Western Visayas Medical Center, and WSFP, facilitated the deployment of top volunteer doctors flown in from Manila and Iloilo to serve the community.
For five years, WSFP has been providing high-quality pediatric surgical care in Iloilo. This mission involved 41 dedicated volunteers — pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatricians, pathologists, and operating room nurses — who generously offered their expertise for free.
Dr. Suntay highlighted the critical need for such missions due to the scarcity of pediatric surgeons in the region: “Dahil sabihin natin na ‘yung linya natin na pediatric surgeon ay medyo konti lang sa buong Pilipinas. Specifically, dito sa Iloilo, may isa na lang na active na pediatric surgeon at medyo pa-retire na din eh. Sa ganito kalaking ospital na bagsakan ng ibang probinsya, medyo doon sa pediatric surgery medyo kulang. Madaming pasyente ang naiiwan at nag-aantay. Eto ‘yung pinakaimportansya ng pagbabalik namin para sa pagtutulong namin sa mga pasyenteng bata dito sa Iloilo.”
The lack of pediatric surgical specialists in the city pushed the WSFP to organize this mission enabling children from Iloilo City, and the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz and Aklan access critical major pediatric surgeries and care at no cost.
“MORE Power is very happy to assist and facilitate this Surgical Medical Mission. Nagpapasalamat kami sa Iloilo provincial government and city government, WSFP, and the very generous donors for this program. We hope it will continue every year. Rest assured, MORE Power will always be your partner for the betterment of Iloilo City and Province,” said Roel Z. Castro, President and CEO of MORE Power.
These pediatric surgeries, which typically cost between ₱150,000 and ₱200,000 per patient, were provided free, significantly alleviating the financial burden on families.
“Malaking bagay talaga kasi naipapakita ng partnership with MORE Power na masisilbihan natin not only the pediatric population but buong pamilya na natutulungan natin. Malaking bagay din to sa MORE Power na nagpapakita na maliban sa business, gustong makatulong sa komunidad sa project na ‘to,” Dr. Suntay added.
The beneficiaries’ parents conveyed their immense appreciation for the event, highlighting the significant impact of the surgery on the lives of their children.
“Grabe ang amun naagyan sini. Grabe gid ang akun pasalamat nga isa ang bata ko sa naabay sa medical mission. Nagpakitluoy kami kay Doc nga i-abay amun bata sa listahan. Amu grabe gid akon pasalamat nga nadala akun bata sa programa nga ni. Since kis-a ginakapos kami sang kwarta, hindi kami makabakal colostomy. Nagapasalamat gid ako nga naabay siya. Mabawasan ang amun nga panumdumon kay pwerte kabudlay para sa amun. Ubra sang bana ko indi man permanente,” said Miebel Ngalongalay, parent of a 5-year-old kid who lives with a colostomy bag.
The success of this mission reflects a shared commitment to community welfare through volunteerism and corporate social responsibility. MORE Power continues to champion initiatives that strengthen the local healthcare system, promote sustainable development, and improve the quality of life for Ilonggos./PN
