The provincial government of Batangas recently provided free specialized surgical procedures to qualified residents through a healthcare initiative held at the Batangas Provincial Hospital.
Photos and details of the activity were shared on the Batangas Provincial Information Office's official Facebook page, which reported that a Rhinoplasty and Blepharoplasty Program was conducted on September 17 and 18, 2026, in partnership with the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery.
According to the Facebook post, patients first underwent screening and medical evaluation on September 17 to determine their eligibility for the procedures.
Qualified patients underwent the actual operations on September 18 under the care of healthcare professionals and partner surgeons.
The caption on the Batangas PIO's Facebook post read: "Isang mahalagang hakbang sa pagpapalawak ng specialized healthcare services sa lalawigan ang isinagawang screening para sa Rhinoplasty at Blepharoplasty noong Setyembre 17, na sinundan ng aktuwal na operasyon noong Setyembre 18 sa Batangas Provincial Hospital.
"Sa pamamagitan ng masusing screening at medical evaluation, natukoy ang mga pasyenteng kwalipikado at nangangailangan ng naturang surgical procedures.
"Isinagawa ang mga ito sa pangunguna ng mga healthcare professionals, katuwang ang Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery.
"Ang Rhinoplasty at Blepharoplasty ay mga specialized surgical procedures na maaaring tugon sa ilang medical o functional concerns.
"Ang pagkakaroon ng mga serbisyong ito sa pampublikong pagamutan ay bahagi ng pagsisikap ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Batangas at mga katuwang nito na mapalawak ang access ng mga Batangueño sa kinakailangang surgical care."
What are rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, is a surgical procedure that reshapes or reconstructs the nose. While often associated with cosmetic enhancement, it may also be performed to correct breathing problems, birth defects, or injuries affecting the nose's function.
Meanwhile, blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure involving the eyelids. It removes excess skin, fat, or muscle from the upper or lower eyelids and may be done for cosmetic reasons or to help improve vision when drooping eyelids obstruct a person's sight.
As noted by the Batangas PIO, both procedures can address medical or functional concerns, making them more than just cosmetic surgeries for certain patients.
NETIZENS REACT
Following the upload of photos from the event on the Batangas PIO's official Facebook page, several social media users expressed interest in the program and lamented learning about it only after it had already taken place.
A netizen wrote: "Bakit ngayon lang nagpakita saken post na to?! HAHAHA."
Another social media user asked if non-residents could also avail themselves of the service: "pwede po ba tiga Bulacan?? haha seryoso po"
Other Facebook users tagged friends and relatives in the comments section, wishing they had seen the announcement earlier.
PEPsters, would you avail of this service for free if your local government started offering it?
READ MORE: