UCPB helps put smile in kids with cleft palate

United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB ) lent a hand to Operation Smile Philippines Foundation Inc. in providing free surgeries for 150 children with cleft lip and cleft palate in a mission to held at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center last November 20 to 24.

A similar campaign will be held in January next year as part of Operation Smile’s 35th anniversary “Until We Heal” global campaign which aims to treat 2,300 patients in 2017 and enhance the skills of cleft care professionals.

The Davao mission is also supported by UCPB co-donors Phoenix Petroleum and Ulticon Builders which donated P500,000 each.

In a ceremony held at the UCPB Corporate Offices recently, UCPB President and CEO Higinio Macadaeg Jr., Operation Smile Chair Edith Villanueva and Vice Chair Regina Anne Gonzalez signed the agreement for the Davao medical mission..

The event was also attended by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Vice President for External Affairs Raymond Zorrilla and Ulticon Builders Inc. Vice President of Finance Beatrice Magallanes.

“For over 10 years now, UCPB has been supporting Operation Smile because we believe in its mission to make a difference in the lives of indigent children with cleft lip and cleft palate,” Macadaeg said.

“It only takes a surgery costing P15,000 to change the course of their lives but sadly, their families are not able to afford it.

Through this mission that we are sponsoring together with Phoenix Petroleum and Ulticon Builders, we are set to change the lives of 150 kids in Davao. After their surgery scheduled this coming November and in January next year, they will finally be able to smile and look forward to a brighter future,” he added.

Villanueva expressed appreciation to UCPB and the donors. “We are grateful to UCPB and your co-donors for your generosity. For the last 35 years, we have survived because of people and companies like you. This is the miracle of the smiles that we bring to Filipino children,” she said.