Nearly 600 Patients Served During Two-Day Medical Mission in Bacolod

Hundreds of residents from Bacolod City and surrounding communities received free medical screenings during a two-day humanitarian mission organized by the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, a non-government organization dedicated to humanitarian and medical service. The mission, held on April 22 and 23, 2026, served nearly 600 patients across two locations and marked the first phase of a larger two-part program that will culminate in a surgical mission next month. 

The event was held during the ongoing public open house of the Bacolod Philippines Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, drawing attention to the Church's presence in the region and its long-standing commitment to community service regardless of faith or background.

Screenings Across Four Medical Conditions

The mission screened patients for four categories of medical need: eye conditions, cleft lip and palate, clubfoot and limb loss. Patients who qualify based on their screening results may receive free reading or prescription eyeglasses, cataract surgery, corrective surgery for cleft conditions, prosthetic limbs or treatment for clubfoot, at no cost to them or their families.

The mission was conducted across two venues. The first day was held at the Church meetinghouse in Talisay City on April 22, and the second at the Galo Meetinghouse in Bacolod City on April 23.

Janis Redulla, Visayas screener for the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, led the mission's medical operations. Martha Grace Trias, a humanitarian senior service missionary, coordinated logistics and operations across the three participating stakes: the Bacolod Stake, Bacolod North Stake and Bacolod South Stake. Optometrist Dr. Anita Villarta provided clinical expertise for the eye screening component.

Stake Presidents Joaquin Montero, Marc Barredo and Antonio Jayme were present throughout the mission, joined by Elder and Sister Ashby of the Philippines Bacolod Mission, as well as member volunteers and clinical professionals who gave their time and skills to serve the community. Representatives from the Bacolod City Department of Social Welfare and Development also assisted during the screenings, reflecting the collaborative spirit that made the mission possible.

A Surgical Phase to Follow

The second phase of the mission, a dedicated surgical mission, is scheduled to begin on May 25, 2026. In partnership with the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, cataract patients who were identified during the April screenings will receive surgical care at the regional hospital. Post-operative medicines will be provided by the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation, ensuring that patients receive not only the procedure but the support they need in the days that follow.

Service That Reflects a Larger Mission

The timing of the medical mission, held during the historic Bacolod Philippines Temple open house, gave the work an added dimension. Many of the patients and their families were able to visit the temple open house, which runs from April 16 to May 2, 2026, offering an opportunity to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the values that motivate its members’ service efforts. Friends of other faiths who came for a medical screening left with more than a referral card.

“This is what we are here to do,” said one of the volunteers. “To serve and to let people feel that they are not forgotten.”

For the nearly 600 individuals who passed through the screening queues across two days, that message came through clearly. Many had traveled from neighboring communities, bringing elderly parents or young children whose conditions had gone unaddressed for years due to the cost of medical care. For them, the mission was not simply a health program. It was, in the words of those who organized it, a reason to hope.

The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation continues to conduct medical screening and surgical missions across the Visayas region in collaboration with local government agencies, health professionals and member volunteers of the Church.

Editor's Note: The Bacolod Philippines Temple public open house runs from April 16 to May 2, 2026, excluding Sundays. Admission is free and open to people of all faiths. The Mabuhay Deseret Foundation is a non-government organization, providing humanitarian and medical services to communities across the Philippines.