By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY – “Every one of us
plays a crucial role in brightening one’s life.”
This was declared by assistant division commander
Col. Amadeo Azul Jr. during the opening program of the two-day free eye
cataract surgery dubbed “Brotherhood Operation Saving Sight” (BOSS) held
recently at Kuta Sang-an Station Hospital, Pulacan, Labangan, Zamboanga del
Sur.
The two-day activity was a joint project of the 1st
Infantry (Tabak) division, Philippine Army, Alpha Phi Omega-Southern Zamboanga
Alumni Association (APO-ZOSA ALAS), and the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation.
In his message, Azul said a person’s quality of
life can be greatly improved with the simple procedure of cataract surgery.
“With the different organizations comprising the
team behind the free cataract surgery, the activity becomes a concrete
testimony that ‘Bayanihan’ is very much alive,” Azul stressed.
Referring to the Internal Peace and Security Plan
or “Bayanihan,” Azul said, “this is the Armed Forces of the Philippines’
paradigm shift that embraces the broader frame of humanity and gives equal
focus to its twin role as the protector of the people and protector of the
state.”
“Activities like this, remind our indigent
‘kababayans’ that here is indeed a government working for them and that there
are existing organizations ready to extend help,” Azul said.
Acting chief of staff Col. Manuel Ordoña, on the
other hand, said “the activity is one of the great strides in elevating our
noble cause of public service,” citing the free cleft surgery conducted by the
same group last year at the Tabak Division headquarters.
Retired 2nd Lt. Edgar Llarena, a
cataract patient said he was very happy that he had availed himself of the free
cataract surgery saying that he has no money to pay to undergo cataract surgery
in private hospitals. “I also thank the doctors because they have offered their
services as free and treated many indigent cataract patients,” Llarena added.
A
total of 61 indigent cataract patients, mostly elderly, were spared from
blindness and poor eyesight complications. (PIA9)