03/06/2025
๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ
๐๐บ: ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ค๐ข ๐. ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข, ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต ๐๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ณ
๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐, ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ โ โAray ko!โ That was the brave cry of young boys as they lined up for their turn at Kugit Bulilit, a free circumcision program that began on June 2, 2025, at the Laoag City General Hospital. The event was part of the cityโs 60th Charter Day celebration.
Kugit Bulilit was created to help boys aged 10 and above, especially those from low-income families who may not have access to safe and proper circumcision services. While 136 boys were expected, a total of 134 underwent the procedure on Day 1, with 2 backing out. The program started at 7:00 AM and ended at around 2:00 PM. A second session is set for June 4.
The city government recognized the importance of giving young boys not only proper healthcare, but also the confidence that comes with good hygiene and strong community support.
This project was made possible through the efforts of the City Government of Laoag, through the initiative of the Commission on Population - Laoag City (POPCOM - Laoag City) in collaboration with the Laoag City General Hospital and the City Government of Laoag's Office of the City Health Officer. Partner agencies such as the Ilocos Norte Medical Society (INMS), Department of Health (DOH), Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) also enjoined this noble cause.
Doctors from the Ilocos Norte Medical Society who offered their service include:
Dr. Lester Sigabu, Dr. Roland Andres, Dr. King Toralba, Dr. Nonilone Corpuz, Dr. Rod Catcatan, Dr. Ulysses Basilio, Dr. Aileen Cabatbat, Dr. Hanz Batangan, Dr. Helen Catcatan, Dr. EJ Andaya, Dr. Zarah Ramos, and Dr. Mary Ann Yasay-Luis.
Representing the Department of Health was Dr. Lester Sigabu, while the Office of the City Health Officer was led by Dr. Rodrigo Catcatan. From ANSAP, Dr. Gilbert P. Andres, PhD, and company also supported the initiative, along with POPCOM led by Ms. Janet Retamal, Michelle Pagdilao, Maybel Bumanglag, and Josefina Morales.
Also, special thanks go to the SPES (Special Program for Employment of Students) workers who assisted with preparation and cleaning of the medical tools.
Tee Jay R. Mateo, Danica R. Medina, Princess Angel R. Quitog, Faye A. Ramos, Fate Nicole Q. Salvador, Franslynne L. Sampayan, Krizha Cheska P. Tapil, Micahella P. Agag, Jinnes Justin B. Agtarap, Abby Gaile Bless V. Anaya, Risa Mae A. Arquillo, Mark R. Bautista,
Mae Buted, Cristine A. Cachero, Jemaika A. Castro, Kassandra Charice A. Dimaya, Zaskiah Asheley B. Evangelista, Jamia Reisha G. Figura, Therasa Mae R. Garcia, Liezel Ann C. Julian, Frances Lorraine S. Macasinag, Vea Angela L. Argentera, Denielle Aaron V. Baptista, and Coby Scott Coma.
Dr. Marsha Lou Wapan, Officer-in-Charge of Laoag City General Hospital, stated,
โThis program is a way for us to give back. Itโs about helping families, promoting hygiene, and making sure children receive safe, proper medical care.โ
As the day ended, so did the fear on many young faces โ replaced by smiles, relief, and even a little pride.
One brave โAray ko!โ at a time, Laoag City General Hospital proves that real public service starts with heart and care.
๐๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฐ ๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ต๐ณ๐ช๐ฃ๐ถ๐ต๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด: ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ช๐ค๐ข ๐๐ฆ๐ฅ๐ช๐ฏ๐ข, ๐๐ณ๐ช๐ด๐ป๐ช๐ข ๐๐ข๐ต๐ฆ๐ฐ, ๐๐ถ๐ช๐จ๐ช ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ด, ๐๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ๐ด ๐๐ฐ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ณ๐ช๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ฃ๐ข
