Bus company embarks on healthcare mission in Zambales

MANILA, Philippines - As part of Victory Liner, Inc. (VLI)’s 70-year legacy as one of the biggest Northern Luzon bus transportation providers in the country, the company recently undertook a healthcare mission in Iba, Zambales, which provided over 600 patients with free medical, dental and optical services.

The mission forms part of the bus company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program, which it undertakes through its social arm, the Doña Marta T. Hernandez Foundation (DMTHF). “We achieved our seven-decade milestone because of the continued patronage of the Filipino people,” said Vernie Abcede, president of DMTHF. “That is why improving the health of our countrymen and women, especially in communities along our bus routes, is one of the ways that we feel we can give back to the nation.”

During the event, much-needed medical consultation, dental procedures and flu vaccinations were administered to residents of the community for free. Reading glasses and other medical supplies were also distributed to offer a more holistic healthcare service.

“Being in the transport business is an advantage in our healthcare mission, adds Abcede. “We can bring speedy medical and dental help to the residents of the community we service. Getting proper healthcare is one of the main challenges for these families because they usually cannot afford regular medical and dental checkups, nor to buy the right medicines for their ailments. In some areas, there are also insufficient doctors.”

Believing that partnerships can make initiatives more successful, DMTHF has made it a point to always enter into tie-ups with relevant institutions before implementing missions. For the healthcare mission in Iba, Zambales, the medical checkups were conducted in cooperation with the Makati Medical Society doctors; the Malabon Navotas Dental Chapter has again been tapped to perform dental procedures, while ophthalmologists from Cardinal Santos Medical Center have volunteered to provide free eye checkups.

“We truly believe in the value of partnerships, particularly for the cause of nation-building,” notes Abcede. “Upholding partnerships is one of the ways we do business because this yields greater value not only for our company but more so for our stakeholders.”

Aside from doing healthcare missions as part of its CSR efforts, VLI and DMTHF also joined the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) last year for the construction of a classroom in Cagayan Valley. This year, a partnership with Gawad Kalinga has also been firmed up to construct a learning center in Cabagan, Isabela.  

Abcede explains that their commitment to social development has been formed from within. “A strong spirit of volunteerism is embedded in the company’s corporate culture.  Members of the founding family, the Hernandezes, are consistently present to help out with a lot of our projects on the ground,” she remarks. “And there would always be a handful of employees who would readily join us in our medical missions.”

The healthcare mission in Iba, Zambales, is just one of the numerous medical, dental and optical missions that have been implemented by DMTHF through the years. These efforts of the company have already benefited over 29,000 families in Northern Luzon provinces.

Helping people improve their health has become more and more important to the corporation as VLI celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. “Contributing to nation-building is our way of expressing our utmost gratitude for all the blessings that we have received in the last 70 years,” says Abcede.

VLI will be celebrating its 70th anniversary this month with more programs lined up for its employees and the communities it serves. To know more about the company, its other CSR programs and its bus routes, visit www.victoryliner.com.