May 29, 2026
Empowering Indigenous Communities with free healthcare
By Thania Florendo
In the mountainous and remote areas of Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, life is defined by distance—between mountains and health centers, between need and access, between survival and care.
For the Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities, life is shaped by long walks through rugged terrain, limited transportation, and rare access to medical care, often relying on occasional outreach missions for basic healthcare. During the 290th medical mission of the Tzu Chi Foundation in Victoria, Oriental Mindoro, free consultations, treatments, and medicines were provided to underserved families in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
Service at the ground level
Dr. Ross Jacob Rosales, chief of the Health Development Division of NCIP, explained how community coordination is carried out through Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) and community service centers that work directly with remote villages.
“These services being delivered here are not only free but are also delivered in a culturally sensitive manner,” Dr. Rosales said, noting the importance of understanding the unique circumstances of Indigenous patients.
On the ground, the medical mission relied heavily on coordination between health workers, barangay officials, and volunteers. Among them was Luzviminda Linubuan, a Barangay Nutrition Scholar from Barangay Paitan and a member of the Alangan Mangyan community. She assisted beneficiaries throughout the day, guiding them through registration and helping those who could not write their names.
“For me, I am happy that I was able to help so I can serve my fellow Mangyans,” she said.
Linubuan also expressed gratitude for the services provided, noting that many families appreciated not only the free medical care but also the complete assistance offered during the mission. Looking ahead, she hopes future medical missions can be held closer to remote communities.
“We want this to continue because many people need your medical mission. Especially the Mangyan communities that need you. Thank you for continuing to sacrifice for the poor like us. May you all be blessed to have a long life and continue serving the poor.”
Committed to accommodating patients, second-time volunteer Dr. Joan Mariden Bague-Grutas shared that her journey with the Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) began after being encouraged by fellow pediatrician Dr. Rose Go of Chinese General Hospital.
Her connection to Tzu Chi began earlier—during Typhoon Yolanda—when her family experienced firsthand the foundation’s relief efforts. Now, she wants to give back through healing.
“I'm proud to become a member of TIMA and Tzu Chi Foundation. I told myself before [that if] given the chance, I would also want to help. Being a physician, we are instruments of healing, to be able to help, even in the least possible way.”
To the beneficiaries, she offered a simple message of reassurance:
“You are not alone. Whenever you ask for help, we will do our best not to leave you behind. We are here for you.”
A support that grew into purpose
Sabel Lintawagin, 54, is a member of the Alangan Mangyan community from Paitan, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro. Looking back on her younger years, despite health challenges and financial hardships, she persistently pursued higher education through another foundation supported by Mr. Henry Yuñez
She learned about the foundation through John Burtkenley Ong. A volunteer in this medical mission, he dedicated his life to serving the villagers in the Mangyan community. Back then, Ong, together with a few teachers, reached the IP community in Paitan, and he encouraged Lintawagin to apply for a scholarship program.
Every form of assistance was extended to her, especially financial support, which allowed her to continue studying despite difficult circumstances. Although she frequently suffered from dizziness and fainting episodes during her studies, she remained determined to graduate. Through the scholarship program, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in History at Divine Word College of Calapan.
“When it comes to education, I never give up. I never grow tired of dreaming of finishing my studies as long as people are supporting me,” she shared.
After graduating in 2010, Lintawagin taught Grades 1 to 3 in the remote upland community of Bucayao Grande, Barangay San Andres, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, serving indigenous Iraya Mangyan children for several years. However, due to recurring health problems and the physical demands of long mountain walks, she eventually left the profession to focus on caring for her only child and elderly parents. Her husband worked by renting farmland for cultivation despite having no permanent employment.
Years later, Lintawagin visited Manila through Ong and reunited with her former sponsor, Henry Yuñez, whom she later learned was already a volunteer of the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.
On May 22, during the first day of Tzu Chi Foundation’s 290th medical mission, she availed herself of dental services and underwent tooth extraction. She also expressed happiness in seeing fellow Mangyans receive medical assistance and opportunities for support.
“I am happy because helping fellow IP has always been my dream. I saw them happy while receiving checkups and meeting the foundation,” she said.
She also thanked the doctors, volunteers, organizers, and Tzu Chi Foundation for their sacrifices and continued service to underserved communities.
In her message to Mr. Yuñez, who is the current CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation, Lintawagin expressed deep gratitude for the support that allowed her to finish her studies and achieve her dream of becoming a teacher.
“To Sir Henry Yuñez, thank you so much for your generosity, which nurtured and supported my potential. If not for you, I would not have achieved my dreams,” she said.
A two-day free medical mission for Mindoreños offered dental services, general medicine, pediatrics, OB-gyne, and minor surgery.
Mangyan tribal leaders blessed the start of the event with prayers in their native dialect, marking a solemn opening to the activity.
Government vehicles provided by the LGU, in coordination with the NCIP, transported Indigenous Peoples and other patients from their homes to the medical mission venue.
Upon arrival, the Mangyans were assisted with registration and guided through the process, with some volunteers offering support in writing.
Upon arrival, the Mangyans were assisted with registration and guided through the process, with some volunteers offering support in writing.
Doctors from TIMA attended the short opening program and joined the prayers for the people of Mindoro.
The doctors went on with consultations, hoping to ease patients’ pain and help make life a little lighter for those they served.
The dental team worked continuously, attending to patients one after another to help reduce the long queue in the waiting area.
Tzu Chi volunteer Winnie Yu gives 74-year-old beneficiary Carmila Bato-Bato a new pair of slippers, adding a bit of comfort for her bare feet.
Out of selfless concern, Carmila Bato-Bato set aside her own check-up to focus on her grandchildren’s consultations, but was later encouraged by doctors and volunteers to also prioritize her own health.
Despite her hardships, Carmila Bato-Bato remained warm and cheerful, expressing appreciation to everyone who assisted her and her grandchildren.
Looking back, Dr. Joan Bague-Grutas was once a Tzu Chi beneficiary when Typhoon Yolanda devastated Tacloban, Leyte. She recalled how the foundation extended assistance to everyone without hesitation or discrimination. Today, as a member of TIMA, she continue that same mission by helping those in need.
Now part of TIMA, Dr. Joan Bague-Grutas described the medical missions as uniquely organized and deeply collaborative, where all volunteers work together regardless of each other's role.
On Day 1 of the medical mission, Sabel Lintawagin (left) had a chance encounter with Tzu Chi, where she learned that her former sponsor, Henry Yuñez, is now the foundation’s CEO. She also took the opportunity to have photos taken with Rosa So, head volunteer for Tzu Chi’s Educational and Medical Assistance Programs.
Tzu Chi volunteers, staff, and NCIP representatives took photos with the Alangan Mangyans, reflecting mutual respect and solidarity.
Tzu Chi volunteers, together with John Burtkenley Ong and NCIP staff, approach Indigenous Peoples having lunch in a shaded area outside the medical mission venue where the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) provided food.
In a show of community spirit, Indigenous Peoples spread banana leaves on the ground and combined their food to share a meal.
While some Indigenous Peoples were busy eating, others were filling out registration forms before heading to the lines in the medical mission venue.
Tzu Chi volunteers noticed that most of the Indigenous Peoples were barefoot, so they handed out new pairs of slippers to everyone.
The children happily posed after receiving new sets of slippers.
NCIP recognized the Tzu Chi Foundation for its continued efforts in providing medical assistance to communities in Mindoro.
Dr. Ross Jacob Rosales (center) received an award from the Tzu Chi Foundation in recognition of the collaboration in recognition of their collaboration in the medical mission. He urged LGUs to work toward long-term solutions addressing the conditions of IPs, and reaffirmed NCIP’s continued commitment to supporting programs for indigenous communities.
Free snacks were shared with everyone, as children eagerly got biscuits while waiting for their turn at the check-ups.
Having arrived as one group, the Indigenous Peoples waited for everyone to finish their consultations before leaving together on their jeepney service.