Bayanihan IPSP humanitarian mission benefits Sorsogon, Cam Sur residents

From the Philippine Information Agency (Feb 4): Bayanihan IPSP humanitarian mission benefits Sorsogon, Cam Sur residents

The Team Naval Forces of Southern Luzon (Navforsol) of the Philippine Navy based here held two consecutive medical and dental missions last Jan. 26 and 27 in Barangay Dangcalan, Donsol, Sorsogon and in Barangay Ombao Polpog, Bula, Camarines Sur.

Navforsol provided the outreach program with medical, dental and EENT (eyes, ears, nose and throat) check-ups, giving out free eyeglasses, haircuts and therapeutic massages to more than 945 beneficiaries.

Command surgeon Maj. Renato Esmabe MC of the Navy led the Team Navforsol contingent composed of medical-dental teams and civil affairs team from Naval Station Julhasan Arasain, based in this city.

The humanitarian mission was also supported by the Tulong Mo, Kinabukasan Ko Foundation Inc., the 903rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, the Donsol District Hospital, the rural health unit of Pilar, Philippine National Police, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish, medical volunteers and the local government of the recipient areas.

Commodore Manuel Natalio A. Abinuman, commander of the Navforsol, said search and rescue, disaster relief and evacuation operations are just among the many administrative functions that the major units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the Bicol region have been doing to help the Bicolanos.

Abinuman said these activities are far from the common experiences of the uniformed men and women who usually carry guns and go after the enemy of the state.

He explained that these types of operations are classified as non-traditional roles of the AFP but vital in the pursuit of public peace and order and welfare especially in the Bicol region.

“These activities are just a fragment of the numerous socio-economic and environmental development programs of the Navy being conducted jointly with other stakeholders in line with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) “Bayanihan,” Abinuman said.

“Such activity highlights the role of the sailors, marines and soldiers not just as defenders of peace but also as good ambassadors for socio-economic development and we in the Navforsol will continue our commitment to support inter-agency initiatives towards the achievement of lasting peace and development in the region,” Abinuman said.

http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=771359960361