The charity, compassion and love of Tzu Chi Medical Foundation Philippines (TCMFP) know no bounds. Its Tzu Chi Eye Center (TCEC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila welcomes people suffering from cataract and other visual impairment wherever in the country they come from. TCEC’s volunteer doctors operate on them to restore their vision free of charge and they even go out of their way to provide them their other needs.

Among the many beneficiaries of the foundation and TCEC are poor residents of Quezon City. One, 68-year-old Rannie Sabangan of Novaliches, underwent laser procedure at the TCEC to treat his glaucoma.

Sabangan has nothing but praises for the Tzu Chi volunteers.

“Everyone there (TCEC) has just been so kind! While waiting for your consultation, they even provide us with free food!”  the Foundation quoted him as saying in its Facebook post.

He is also happy that his vision had improved.

As grateful as these patients for touching their lives are local officials. Members of the city’s council believe Tzu Chi deserves commendation for the thousands of constituents it has assisted and continues to aid.

On 2 February, the 23rd Quezon City Council passed a resolution commending the foundation for “its unconditional and exceptional eye surgical services that restored the sight and hope of numerous indigent patients” and “the selfless examples” of its medical and non-medical volunteers, which “inspired the kindness and the bayanihan spirit of Quezon City residents.”

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and councilors led by Nanette Daza presented a plaque of commendation and copy of the resolution to TCMFP president Dr. Antonio Say, Tzu Chi Eye Center deputy medical director Dr. Irene Susan Lapid-Lim, and Tzu Chi volunteers during the flag ceremony at the City Hall.

Daza, who represents the 4th District of Quezon City, acknowledged the many underprivileged members of society that the TCEC have been treating very well using high-tech equipment.

Councilor Karl Castelo of the QC 5th District, also acknowledged that the Tzu Chi beneficiaries have been given renewed strength and hope now that they can do the things that they were unable to do before because they were limited by cataracts. 

“Their lives were really transformed by your help,” Castelo said.

Councilor Wency Lagumbay of the QC 3rd District recalled the organization’s significant help during the Covid-19 pandemic, when its medical volunteers helped in vaccinating 119,104 residents from April 2021 to August 2022.

“This recognition today is to thank Tzu Chi for their tireless help and support to our fellowmen, not only here in Quezon City but all over the country,” Lagumbay said.

For Lapid-Lim, the recognition from the Quezon City government proves that helping one patient translates to helping a community. 

“If you improve their vision, their entire lives and their livelihoods improve, the family will be able to function better, more efficiently and then the community — it’s an extension from a personal need to a community need,” she said.

The ophthalmologist added that the commendation is a source of inspiration to the medical team. 

“It’s very satisfying because in our own little way, in our quiet little way, in our little cove in Sta. Mesa, there is an Eye Center that is able to reach out in whatever capacity to help the patients that come to us for help,” Lim said.