PAGADIAN CITY – Parents with cleft palate and cleft lip children
on Friday flocked to the 1st Infantry (Tabak) division headquarters
to avail free cleft lip and palate surgery dubbed “Operation Sweet Smile”
jointly conducted by the Philippine Army and Alpha
Phi Omega, Maharlika Foundation, and Southern Zamboanga Alumni Association (APO-SOZA-ALAS) on August 24-27. Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations Lt. Col. Cornelio Arboleda, said the cleft lip operation launched by the 1st infantry division, Maharlika and APO aimed to provide free reconstructive facial surgery to indigent Filipino children and young adult born with cleft palate and cleft lip deformity.
Arboleda said the Tabak commander supported the
project because it is laudable one. “I am actively supporting this very laudable project because it offers help to indigent families whose children are suffering from facial deformities, Arboleda said quoting Tabak division commander, BGen Ricardo Rainier Cruz III.
At least 78 children from the province and its
neighboring places have registered for the operation.
“We will help these children live a normal life and socialize with other children of their age. These children can now hold their heads up high and smile sweetly after the surgery,” Arboleda concluded, saying that these children were deprived of the change to enjoy their youth and were discriminated. (NBE/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)