Camillian Task Force Medical Mission in Iloilo, Philippines

In the wake of Cyclone Frank, the Camillian Task Force (CTF) in the Philippines and its collaborators serve the medical and dental needs of 400 people on Isla de Gigantes, Carles, Iloilo Province.

For the first time in history, Panay Island experienced flash flooding when Typhoon Frank struck on June 21, 2008. It was one of the worst disasters to ever strike the Province of Iloilo and was a very traumatic experience for all.

Panay Island is composed of four provinces (Iloilo, Aklan, Antique and Capiz - see map ) and is located in Western Visayas - see map. Carles, one of the towns in the northern part of the province of Iloilo, was greatly affected by Cyclone Frank and the flooding. The town has several islands, one of which is Isla de Gigantes, which is composed of four island barangays (villages). The CTF was the first group to visit the island since the disaster and provide medical and dental care.

The CTF group was composed of two Camillian priests - Fr. James Roa MD, MI (the mission coordinator); Fr. Aris Miranda MI; five Camillian seminarians; and eight staff from St. Camillus Hospital in Calbayog City, Western Samar - see map.

The CTF conducted a medical mission in Iloilo on September 13, 2008. Before the day of the mission, a courtesy call was made to Msgr. Meliton B. Oso, P.C., the Bishop of Jaro, Iloilo. The group left from the City of Iloilo around 4:30 AM and arrived at the town of Carles at around 9 AM.

The group also made a courtesy call to Fr. Gil Mediana, a parish priest in Carles and Arnold Betita, the mayor (chief executive). This was followed by breakfast. The group left Carles at around 9:30 AM and reached Isla de Gigantes at 11 AM via motorboat. The island is actually quite isolated. Electricity is non-existent there except for one family who has a generator.

Before the start of the mission proper, the group and the locals celebrated the Eucharist. Three priests concelebrated, including Frs. James and Aris. For the mission, the CTF group was helped by members of the local governmental units, staff from the Municipal Health Office of Carles, and some volunteer physicians and a dentist coming from nearby towns.

The mission served around four hundred patients, some of whom were children. We provided dental care, free laboratory procedures (e.g. complete blood count, urinalysis, stool analysis, fasting blood sugar and electrocardiogram), and free medicines. We successfully completed the mission by 6 PM on the 13th and then spent the on the island. We were happy to help those affected by Cyclone Frank.

Our mission in Iloilo somehow fulfilled the desires of St. Camillus when he said, "I wish I could have one thousand arms so that I can serve more sick people."

Iane Connie Espanta
Nurse - CTF Philippines Member

October 3, 2008 Calbayog City, Philippines