As part of its Summer Tuli Program 2025, a city councilor is offering free tuli (circumcision) for children on May 29 in Barangay Tagluno, Toril District.
Councilor Enzo Villafuerte, in an interview over city-owned Davao City Disaster Radio, said that while previous initiatives primarily catered to children aged 9 and below, this year’s program is encouraging children 9 years old and above to undego the procedure.
He said that children this age are often keen to have the procedure because of peer encouragement and teasing.
“Nine years old gyod ang kadalasan nga kursonada na kay ginakantiyaw na sila sa ilahang mga classmates, amigo so sila na mismo mag-ingon sa ilahang ginikanan nga gusto sila magpatuli (Typically, it is around the age of nine that children begin expressing their own desire to undergo circumcision, often due to teasing or pressure from their peers. In response to this social influence, they themselves ask their parents for permission to proceed with the procedure),” he said.
He said the healing process of the circumcision will take two weeks.
He said that as part of their post-procedure protocol, a tetanus toxoid injection is administered to guard against infections.
He advised parents that circumcised children should avoid bathing in rivers or on beaches after the procedure to ensure proper healing.
He also cautioned against the improper use of guava leaves as home remedy for circumcision wounds.
“Lahi naman god ang mga ginikanan ron dili na kaayo sila kabalo mag-prepare anang dahoon sa bayabas. Daghan mi og mga cases nga magamit sila og dahoon sa bayabas, ginabalik-balik nila dili fresh. So, tendency, naay times nga ma infectionan (Parents nowadays often rely on repeated used of non-fresh guava leaves, which may lead to infections),” he said.
He said that given that circumcision is classified as a minor surgery, legal guardians’ or parent’s consent is mandatory for all participants. In addition, follow-up consultations will be conducted to monitor the children’s post-procedure condition and ensure they are healing well.
Parents or guardians who will accompany the patients are also advised to prepare for the event by bringing a government-issued ID along with the child’s birth certificate. CIO
