DADITAMA HOPE Medical Mission: Bringing God’s Presence and Compassion to the People of JAS

Answering God’s call to love and serve one another, the DADITAMA Hope – Humanitarian Response through Medical Mission brought God’s healing presence and compassion to the people of the municipality of Jose Abad Santos (JAS) through a day of holistic care and outreach last July 18-19, 2026.

United by a shared mission and the spirit of synodality – walking together as one Church to serve those in need, volunteers from across the DADITAMA ecclesiastical province came together to provide medical care, emotional support and relief assistance to six disaster-affected barangays in JAS. The service was extended to all – Christians, Indigenous Peoples, and Muslims – with no distinction, as an expression of God’s love for everyone.

The medical mission gathered a total of 287 dedicated volunteers, composed of healthcare professionals, clergy, religious, and lay faithful from the four dioceses:

• Archdiocese of Davao – 126 volunteers serving the people of Barangays Nuing & Sugal. Catered 808 patients and distributed 1,559 relief goods.
• Diocese of Digos – 45 volunteers serving the people of Barangay Butuan. Catered 585 patients and served 475 families for relief goods.
• Diocese of Tagum – 26 volunteers serving the people of Barangay Patulang. Catered 450 patients and served 530 families for relief goods.
• Diocese of Mati – 90 volunteers serving the people of Barangays Kitayo and Balangunan. Catered 900 patients and served 800+ families for relief goods.

Working hand in hand, the volunteers provided comprehensive healthcare services, including medical consultations and treatment, operation tuli (Diocese of Digos), the dispensing of prescribed medicines, and Psychological First Aid (PFA) for individuals and families experiencing emotional distress. The mission also extended its care through the distribution of relief goods, bringing practical assistance and hope to those facing daily challenges.

Our engagement with the distressed families gave us the idea of what they need most in this trying time. Most of them said, aside from food & medicine, they need sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils, cooking utensils, materials for rebuilding their homes, livelihood assistance, clothing, baby clothes, and other baby stuff.

Beyond physical assistance, the DADITAMA Hope Medical Mission became a living witness of Christ’s compassion. Every consultation, every medicine dispensed, every listening ear, and every relief package shared reflected the Church’s commitment to accompany people with love, dignity, and mercy. Volunteers offered words of encouragement, compassionate listening, and prayer, reminding survivors that the Church stands beside them during times of suffering and recovery. Their presence reflected Christ’s healing ministry and the Church’s unwavering commitment to accompany those most in need.

The collaboration among the Archdiocese of Davao and the Dioceses of Digos, Tagum, and Mati shows the strength of unity in mission and the beauty of synodality. Through the generous service of its volunteers, the Church embodied the Gospel by reaching out to the vulnerable and reminding every beneficiary that they are valued, cared for, and never forgotten.

As the medical mission ended, it brought healing, hope, and encouragement, strengthened the community, and reflected God’s love and faithful presence among His people.

The DADITAMA Hope Medical Mission stands as a testament to Christian solidarity and synodality, affirming that when the Church comes together in faith and service, it becomes a living sign of God’s mercy, healing, and hope for everyone.

That in all things, GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED. (Echerica U. Yamba, SILP Lumondao SocCom Coordinator | Photos by Yna Ocampo, SUGID)