833 boys circumcised in Alturas “Free Tuli”

A total of 833 adolescent boys availed themselves of free circumcision offered by the Alturas Group of Companies, through its Alay Marcela Foundation.

Conducted in the summer months of April and May, this year, the Alturas “Libreng Tuli” Program was scheduled in nine barangays of Bohol, and two Alturas stores in Tagbilaran City and Talibon, with the coordination of the respective Rural Health Units and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs).

The number of children circumcised per barangay/store are as follows: Poblacion, Cortes–84 (April 26); Lincod, Maribojoc–60 (April 27); Catagbacan Norte, Loon–75 (May 3); Alturas Mall, Tagbilaran City–74 (May 4); Cabatang, Alicia–45 (May 17); Gabi, Ubay–173 (May 18); Alturas-Talibon–68 (May 24); Tabalong, Dauis–44 (May 26); Bolod, Panglao–85 (May 27); and Tultugan, Calape–45 (May 28).

In the Philippines, summer means more than the start of the dry season. For the Department of Health and many young boys approaching adolescence, it’s the circumcision season called “Operation Tuli,” a widely regarded Filipino rite of passage to adulthood.

Some choose to get circumcised for cultural and religious reasons. Others do so for hygiene and appearance, but for most Filipino people, Tuli is believed as a long-standing tradition that is essential for boys to mature into men.

According to the World Health Organization data, the Philippines has one of the highest rates of circumcision in the world, with about 90% of males having the procedure.