WESCOM, Lingkod Timog Fdn team up for free medical services to indigents of Simpocan

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Mar 5 (PIA) – The Lingkod Timog Foundation teams up with the Western Command (WESCOM) and various organizations that recently provided free medical services to some 1,500 indigent patients of Simpocan in Palawan.

The 6^th Civil Relations Group of the AFP said that the medical and dental mission was made successful with the support of Puerto Princesa City Health Office and the Barangay health workers and volunteers from several non-government organizations that include Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc. (PSFI) and the Jaycees Foundation.

This undertaking is part of the AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan”, wherein all stakeholders are participating in winning the peace through hand-in-hand voluntary services.

                                                                             

Residents and some of the Tagbanua tribes of the barangay were given free basic medical and dental services such as blood pressure check-up, blood smearing and tooth extraction wherein majority could barely afford.

The medical team also offered free circumcision to little boys who felt man enough to go through what is considered a rite of passage in Filipino culture.

More than 1,500 residents benefitted from the said medical and dental mission.

Barangay Chairman Boy Macasaet expressed his gratitude for choosing his barangay as the venue.

During the said activity, the 6^th Civil Relations Group conducted film-viewing to the residents, while waiting to be examined by the doctors, to emphasize what the AFP is doing right now to help the Filipinos in “winning the peace”. 

WESCOM Commander LtGen Juancho M Sabban AFP said, “with the new IPSP already in effect, the AFP will be implementing more civil-military operations such as the medical mission conducted in Barangay Simpocan in this city. The new IPSP of the AFP, called “Bayanihan,” is heavy on community service-oriented and development-centered programs and projects. It will be in effect until 2016.”

“Through the “Bayanihan,” the armed forces will become not just the protector of the people, but a strong partner in development as well,” the WESCOM Chief added.

  

Other units and organizations that participated are as follows: Naval Forces West (NFW) of the Navy; 570^th Composite Tactical Wing (570^th CTW) of the Air Force; Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 and 12 (MBLT-4&12); Camp General Artemio Ricarte Station Hospital and the 1308^th Dental Dispensary. (6CRGAFP/RVC-PIA9 ZBST)