Although only a few Filipino workers availed themselves of the services compared to the turnout in the previous quarters, the program was still successful, Consul General Medardo Macaraeg said.
The free health screening is offered by the consulate general, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Filipino Volunteers Medical Team, the CNMI Pharmacists Association, Hardt Eye Clinic and volunteers from the Filipino community, including from the Bayani Association.
Consul Belinda Ante said they are very grateful for the continued support of the volunteers.
“Hopefully they will continue to serve their fellow Filipinos as long as they’re here,” she said.
Philippine labor representative Carmelina F. Velaquez said the low turnout yesterday could be attributed to the bad weather.
She noted that many Filipinos are also returning to their country.
As of 10:30 a.m., 193 Filipinos had signed up for the free health services and over 20 were new patients.
Last September, 387 Filipinos participated.
Yesterday, Hardt Eye Clinic introduced its new service called “intraocular pressure” in addition to its eye-vision checkups.
Other services included blood pressure and blood sugar check-ups.
“This program is being conducted to increase the level of awareness on diabetes prevention and control, hypertension prevention and eye/vision pressure correction among the Filipino Workers,” Macaraeg said.
Among the Hardt Eye Clinic volunteers were Eric Mahinay, Ruel Balboa, Beth Serrano and Amor Zapata.
Mahinay said this was the sixth year of their volunteer work for the consulate.
“We also conduct free eye vision checkups in school. Just recently, we served over 150 individuals on Tinian,” he added.
Anna de Guzman of Bayani said eight of their members regularly volunteer every quarter.
Bayani’s volunteers were Yolanda de Ramos, Lolita Velasco, Tina Malvar, Leonila Mendoza, Marie Caamic, Flor Miranda and Ronald de Ramos.
