Ang Pahayagan

BATAAN — For most people, birthdays are about receiving gifts, blowing out candles, and spending time with family. But for a group of employees at AboitizPower’s GNPower Mariveles Energy Center (GMEC) and GNPower Dinginin (GNPD), their birth month meant giving the ultimate gift to their host community: the gift of health, care, and saysay (meaning).

Last May 15, 2026, the Barangay Alas-asin Covered Court transformed into a hub of healing. Through Project Saysay Plus: Medikalinga Program, GMEC and GNPD joined forces with the Local Government Unit (LGU) to provide free medical consultations, check-ups, and essential medicines to 109 local residents.

Team members from AboitizPower’s GMEC and GNPD celebrate their birth month by giving back to the community. Alongside local health volunteers from Barangay Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan, the employee-volunteers distributed free medicines and medical assistance to 109 residents through Project Saysay Plus: Medikalinga.

What makes Project Saysay unique is its heart. The program empowers employees to celebrate their birthdays by choosing a specific community group to support, volunteering, and building genuine local connections.

For GMEC Mechanical Maintenance Manager Sir Tristan Ignacio, the event was deeply personal as it fell exactly on his birthday.

“We saw the needs of the barangay, and we also saw the incredible effort of the barangay health workers to help the community,” Tristan shared. “We hope that, in our own small way, this brings meaningful help to our host community. Rest assured, our support won’t stop here.”

Dr. Abigail Eunice Ramos listens attentively to a patient. The program provides a platform for residents to receive free professional medical advice and checkups.

The community felt that warmth. For residents like Leticia Beñoza and Rolando Turla, the medical mission was a massive relief.

“This is wonderful for those of us who are lacking in resources,” Leticia said. Rolando added his gratitude for the free check-up and medicines, saying, “This is a massive help for us. Thank you very much to the birthday celebrators.”

The spirit of care (kalinga) didn’t stop with the patients. Recognizing that the mission’s success rested on the shoulders of the local health workers, the birthday celebrators pulled off a heartwarming surprise.

Dr. Sherwin Pontanilla examines an infant brought in by a local community member. The initiative extended vital pediatric and general healthcare services to 109 residents.

In celebration of Mother’s Day, they hosted “Kalinga Kay Nanay” (Caring for Mothers), a special luncheon dedicated to the female barangay health workers and midwives who tirelessly serve Alas-asin. The neighborhood heroes were treated to lunch and given tokens of appreciation, turning a day of hard work into a moment of well-deserved recognition.

Local health leaders and officials emphasized that this collaboration between the private sector and the LGU is what makes sustainable public service possible.

Municipal health physician Dr. Sherwin Pontanilla, who led the medical team alongside Dr. Abigail Eunice Ramos, praised the volunteers’ dedication. “We know how passionate the employees of AboitizPower GMEC and GNPD are. That’s why we are always here to support them.”

Barangay Kagawad Miles Sendon and barangay midwife Priscila Oliveria-Quezon echoed this sentiment, calling the joint effort a “clear proof” that these kinds of partnerships yield fruitful results for the majority of the people.

Community Hub for health. Residents of Alas-asin fill the Barangay Basketball Covered Court, transformed into a bustling medical hub for AboitizPower’s Project Saysay Plus: Medikalinga Program. The spacious local venue allowed the volunteer teams and municipal health physicians to comfortably and efficiently serve 109 patients with free check-ups, consultations, and medical support.

Since its launch in January 2023, Project Saysay has proven that corporate social responsibility is most impactful when it is personal. By blending the healing touch of Medikalinga with the joyous spirit of employee birthdays, AboitizPower continues to prove that business growth and community well-being go hand in hand, one meaningful celebration at a time. (PR)

TOP 📸: Birthdays with a purpose. AboitizPower GMEC-GNPD Reputation and Stakeholder Management (RSM) Manager Joseph Paolo Mendoza (2nd from right) led the distribution of medicines for the Project Saysay-Medikalinga medical mission program. (Photos courtesy of AboitizPower)