Provincial Caravan of Services reach Pilar island in Camotes

At 73, a grandmother of Pilar, Camotes, who recently lost her child due to lack of accessible healthcare, still holds on to a dream—not just for herself, but for the future of the island, her grandchildren, and all the constituents of the province to finally have access to a better healthcare system.

- Jonnavie Villa/RAE

On a busy day during the Cebu provincial government’s Caravan of Services, Romo arrived with her 15-year-old grandchild. It was her first proper medical checkup in months. “Naay sakit sa hawak ug batiis, unya taas akong BP,” she explained.

But even more than the checkup, it was hope that brought her there. Living at Barangay Villahermosa Pilar, a remote island of the Camotes Group, means enduring long, exhausting journeys to reach the nearest hospital.

Romo lost her son over a month ago. At 52, he succumbed to complications after swelling worsened. They wanted to bring him to Cebu for better treatment, but the distance and transportation challenges proved too much. “Wa mi kaabot. Sa Ormoc nalang mi pero wala na, namatay jud siya,” Romo shared.

Traveling from Pilar to Cebu City via Danao City takes approximately 79 kilometers across the seas. In comparison, Pilar to Ormoc—where they rushed her daughter—is only around 7.2 kilometers away.

That memory stings, but it fuels her wish even more—for Pilar to have its hospital, its doctors, and an emergency system that doesn’t rely on sea travel.

During the caravan, Romo approached representatives from the Department of Agriculture to request vegetable seedlings. “Para matanom nako sa akong garden. Pechay, kangkong, ug okra,” she smiled.