At least 49 visually impaired elementary pupils from underserved families in various schools in Libungan, Cotabato, received free eyeglasses on Thursday, August 20.
The distribution of the eyeglasses by employees of the Cotabato provincial government, local executives and school officials in Libungan was part of the province’s observance of Sight Saving Month, which began on August 1.
Radio reports on Sunday in Cotabato City and nearby provinces stated that the activity was jointly facilitated by the office of Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza, chairperson of the multisector Regional Development Council 12 and the Integrated Provincial Health Office-Cotabato.
The schoolchildren who received eyeglasses from the Cotabato provincial government were first screened by ophthalmologists from the IPHO-Cotabato and school nurses to determine their vision problems and the appropriate interventions they need.
The 49 beneficiaries of the sight-saving mission organized by the office of Taliño-Mendoza, education officials in Libungan and health workers from IPHO-Cotabato come from the Muslim, Christian and indigenous communities in the municipality.
Local executives said the parents of the 49 elementary pupils who received eyeglasses earn just enough to meet their families’ daily needs, working as farmers, market laborers and public transportation terminal workers, tricycle drivers and fruits and vegetable vendors in the municipal market.