DAGUPAN CITY—The chief of the government-owned Region I Medical Center (RIMC) in this city is successfully implementing a “zero bungis (harelip)” all over Pangasinan until 2007.

Dr. Jesus Canto told this writer that since he assumed his position as RIMC director in 2003, he, together with some doctors, has served more than 500 patients who, for a long time, had suffered with harelip and could not afford to pay for their operation.

Canto said that he initially sought the assistance of International Band of Mercy based in United States that referred him to their local office in the Philippines in order to sustain his project.

He said this is in consonance with his slogan “Smile” during his tenure as hospital chief, saying that a smile cheers up any person, much more the sick people.

“These harelip patients now have the chance to smile again and be at ease in their community,” Canto said.

Others had cleft palate, a more difficult situation.

He advised parents, especially mothers of people who have harelip or cleft palate to bring their children to him so they can do operation on them anytime.

“The earlier, the better,” Canto said for patients who must undergo operation citing that their speech training could easily improve while they are still young.

He added that anybody is welcome to bring anyone with harelip or cleft palate and this is absolutely free until the patient is already well.