CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY- The highest diplomat of the People’s Republic of China has lauded the Filipino-Chinese Community for giving back to society with their “Three Treasures”.
“The local Chinese community has long been a pillar of generosity, consistently supporting local charitable causes and giving back to society with great enthusiasm,” said His Excellency Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, during the launching program for the Spring Festival Medical-Dental Mission held at a local mall.
“Their contributions, often referred to as the “Three Treasures”—The Charity Health Centers, the barangay school building program, and the volunteer firefighters—have become a symbol of their benevolent spirit and selfless acts,” he added.
The mission is one of the flagship events commemorating the 10th anniversary of the CDO Chinese New Year Festival led by the Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Community, as well as the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between China and the Philippines.
The envoy cited how the Chinese New Year (also known as the Spring Festival) symbolizing reunion and peace, has become a celebration shared by people around the world.
“On this special occasion, we bring health and hope to more Filipinos by conducting today’s medical and dental mission. It is a vivid demonstration of the enduring tradition of mutual support and solidarity between our two peoples. I am confident that this meaningful initiative will bring even closer the hearts of the Chinese and Filipino people,” Ambassador Huang stressed.
The Cagayan de Oro Medical-Dental Mission was a joint venture of the Cagayan de Oro City government, Cagayan de Oro Filipino-Chinese Community, Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese General Hospital, and Philippine Dental Association Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chapter.
Overall, some 1,103 patients (866 medical, 237 dental) benefitted from the mission held February 4 at a local mall. Aside from free medicines courtesy of the Phil. Charitable Association, children aged 9-14 also received free HPV Vaccines while Senior Citizens were inoculated with free PPV Vaccines.
The medical mission was led by Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center Medical Director Dr. Samuel Ang, and Dr. George Co Jr., Program Director, Charity and Outreach Program.
They were joined by 20 doctors and nurses plus six dentists from the Cagayan de Oro City Health Department, five other Filipino-Chinese doctors from the private sector, and 10 dentists from the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Chapter of the Philippine Dental Association (PDA).
Also joining the mission was a delegation from the Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. who are also concurrently officers of the Filipino-Chinese General Chamber of Commerce Inc. led by Chairman of the Board Antonio Tan, Honorary Chairman/Executive Committee Chairman Dr. Benito Goyokpin, EVP/President & CEO Kelly Sia, Vice Chairmen Alberto Tan Lee and Manuel Co, Treasurer Antonio Hilario, Auditor Go Kong Kep, and Directors Ramon Chuaying, Eduardo Uy, Edmund Santos, Juancho Pacheco, and Antonio Dino.
Despite the heightened tension between the two countries over some contentious issues, Ambassador Huang noted that China and the Philippines are friendly neighbors connected by blood and history, with a friendship that spans over a millennium.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two nations. Over the past five decades, despite some ups and downs, China-Philippines relations have maintained a general upward trajectory, thanks to the strong support of people-to-people exchanges. Throughout this journey, our two peoples have been the steadfast driving force behind the growth of our bilateral ties, he noted.
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