US-based Philippine-American Group of Educators and Surgeons (PAGES), in coordination with the Laguna Provincial Government headed by Gov. Teresita “Ningning” Lazaro, initiates a free medical mission and free medical check-up on patients suffering from cleft lip and cleft palate at the Pagamutang Pangmasa ng Laguna (PPL) in Bay, Laguna from February 05-11, 2006 dubbed as Operation HOPE (Helping Other People Excel).

     Through Provincial Moral Development Office Chief Mrs. Venie Corcuera’s close coordination with the local officials and the people of the community, more than 100 patients were informed about this beneficial project and underwent surgical operation with PPL Chief Dr. Jimmy Lazaro to give the hospital’s utmost support.

     Gov. Lazaro stressed that the free medical service is in line with the Provincial Government’s Sulong Kalusugan at Nutrisyon program that is under the flagship Sulong Laguna 7-Point Agenda. “I am very grateful for PAGES in its goal of providing free medical assistance to indigent patients who are suffering from facial deformities,” Gov. Lazaro said.

     PAGES, headed by its chairman and founder chairman Vid Figueras, with its mission director Dr. Hector Necodemus and over-all coordinator Benz Cueto, regularly conducts free medical and surgical services to different parts of the country to give such assistance to the less-fortunate people.
Also present were Board Member Adoracion Alava and Bay Mayor Bruno T. Ramos along with the Municipal Councilors. # (PIO-Laguna)