By Shaira Arida , September 29,2025
Clear vision is essential not only for health but also for quality of life and productivity. In the Philippines, the eyeglasses market faces challenges such as limited manufacturing capacity, uneven distribution between urban and rural areas, and high prices that make basic vision correction unaffordable for many.
In a crucial role, civil society organizations can leverage innovative models to deliver affordable and accessible eye care, often filling the gaps left by public sector efforts. To fill a gap in various communities, Minority Care International (MCI) has dispensed thousands of reading eyeglasses in fourteen distributions, including to the Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in the Davao Penal and Prison Farm (DaPeCol). Recognizing the profound impact MCI's Restoring Vision annual eye care projects have had on individuals' lives, we performed more than 290 eye check-ups and dispensed more than 200 reading glasses to the Cebuano Barangay in South Cotabato. Dr. Audrey Kim Delin and her husband Dr. Lendl Sam Delin joined us as hospital volunteers to conduct eye exams, having labeled all lens strengths before the distribution. Also, to further serve community needs, Nurse Andrea and 4th year Medtech student Yakup Celik 
conducted free blood pressure screening for the eye care donees. According to one recipient, he appreciated MCI's community outreach project because eye checks and glasses are very expensive with the consequence that most do not have glasses and, thus, have untreated problems.
Through this service MCI scholars continue to learn to give back to their community. An MCI scholarship beneficiary currently studying tourism at the University of Mindanao in her second year, Shaira Arida is from Cebua no Barangay South Cotabato. Even as a student, she organized the MCI eye care event with her Barangay SK officials to extend the MCI eye care project to her community. Shaira gave an opening message before the distribution.“Good morning, everyone! I am Shaira Arida, the Public Relations Officer of the Minority Care International Student Association, or MCISA. 
It is a great honor and a pleasure to stand before you today to witness this meaningful event. Before we begin, I would like to introduce the visionary behind our program, none other than our founder, Dr. Aland Mizell. We also have with us today Attorney Susan Cariaga, the Vice President of the Social Entrepreneurship, Technology and Business Institute, or SETBI. I would like to thank Dr. Audrey Kim Delin and Dr. Lendi Sam Delin for be
ing here and helping us with the distribution of the eye glasses for without their presence this event would not happened. Thank you for coming. I would like to thank Barangay officials, headed by Noel Dela Cruz, and our SK officials, headed by Honey Grace Enario, for allowing us to conduct our 14th distribution of eye glasses in varies communities, including Barangay Linan. MCI’s Restoring Vision projects recognizes the profound impact of clear vision on individuals’ lives. I would also like to recognize my fellow officers, especially our President, Jeremy Jimlan.
Today, we have gathered for the Eyeglass Distribution here in Cebuano, Tupi, South Cotabato. This program is not just about giving out eyeglasses; it is about providing a clearer perspective, both literally and figuratively. It is about removing barriers so that our elderly and community members can learn, grow, and pursue their dreams without limitation. This event is a true reflection of the core mission of our organization. MCI is not just about giving to students, but it also teaches us give back to the community . Even though I am still student, I wanted to take the opportunities that MCI gave it to me and offer back assistance to my community.
Minority Care International means lot to me. More than giving educational needs and send ing me to the school, MCI has molded, directed, corrected and guided me, helping me to discover myself, my gifts, and my potential. Without MCI I would not stand before you today. MCI has taught me to dream big, in spite of our situation here. I can do more and be more. I can proudly say that all the things I have now are from the help of a good-hearted person who trusted and believed in me. Saying thank you is not enough to express my gratitude to MCI. We thank Cebuano Barangay SKs for its gracious hospitality and allowing us to distribute the eyewear and Sharia’s father, Mr. Arida, for providing lunch.
Provide by Shaira Arida , Shaira Arida is an MCI Scholar and a second-year Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management student at the University of Mindanao (UM).
