BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya- A total of 22 children born with cleft lips and cleft palates benefited from free surgeries provided by the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM) at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Hospital  (NVPH) in Bambang town here on June 22.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital and the Lumabang Shriners,  the activity led by PBM’s Plastic Surgeon Dr. Mel Anthony Cruz spearheaded the surgeries on the patients who were screened last June 13.

Gerald Gamboa, president of the Rotary Club of Bayombong Capital said the registration through online was conducted on May 8 to June 13 before its final final screening on June 21 at the NVPH’s out-patient department.

Gamboa said three of the 22 patients, who came from as far as Apayao, Ifugao and Isabela provinces are under one-year-old,  while the oldest is a 30-year-old from Bambang town here.

“Our goal is to help and bring joy to the children with cleft deformities, especially those who are from underprivileged families,” Gamboa said.

Medicines and food were also provided to the patients and their families.

Gamboa expressed his gratitude to the medical team, as well as the personnel of the NVPH for the collaboration in conducting life-changing event to the children and their families.