A historic Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on October 10, 2024, between the provincial government of Occidental Mindoro and the German Doctors – Committee of German Doctors for Developing Countries, Inc. at the Provincial Government Office (PGO) San Jose sub-office in San Jose town.

Governor Eduardo B. Gadiano and representatives of the German Doctors, led by Dr. Thomas Dela Cruz, National Coordinator, signed the MOA, which aims to provide medical services to the indigenous Mangyan communities in the province.

The agreement is part of the German Doctors Inc.’s humanitarian mission to provide medical attention to the Mangyan communities.

The signing ceremony was attended by various officials, including Dr. Alexander Schewenke, who delivered a welcome message, and Ms. Sheila Freitas, German Doctors Area Project Manager, who presented an overview of the organization’s humanitarian mission.

According to Ms. Freitas, the German Doctors Inc. chose Western Mindoro as its pilot project site due to the province’s comprehensive medical data, which was provided by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) led by PHO II Dr. Romualdo Salazar Jr., MD., MHA.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan, led by Vice Governor Diana Apigo-Tayag, also approved a resolution allowing the governor to sign the MOA.

The MOA outlines the long-term programs that the German Doctors Inc. will implement in the province, including the provision of free medical services to the Mangyan communities.

The agreement also ensures the safety and security of the foreign doctors and staff of the humanitarian organization.

In his message, Governor Gadiano thanked the German Doctors Inc. for choosing Western Mindoro as the site for their medical program, which is similar to the one they have been implementing in Oriental Mindoro for the past 20 years.

Other officials who attended the signing ceremony included PGO SAMARICA Executive Assistant II June V. Lee, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President/SP Board Member Ainah Baticados, Abra de Ilog Mayor Maria Gloria Constantino, Ms. Angelita Altayo – Tribal Affairs Asst. II – NCIP, Dr. Apolonio Domingo Jr. – San Jose District Hospital, Ms. Guia Manelle Camandang-Iwayan – PGO SAMARICA Secretary to the Governor, Mr. June Camandang – PGO SAMARICA Municipal and Barangay Affairs Office, and staff of the German Doctors Inc.