AFP: Operation Pacific Angel 2013 Ends; Over 7,000 Benefit from Medical, Engineering Services

From the Armed Forces of the Philippines Website (Mar 12): Operation Pacific Angel 2013 Ends; Over 7,000 Benefit from Medical, Engineering Services

Soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and United States Armed Forces (USAF) officially handed over the symbolic keys of the newly-renovated classrooms to school officials of Bio-os Elementary School during the joint turnover and closing ceremony of Operation Pacific Angel 2013, yesterday in Amlan, Negros Oriental.

Three elementary schools in Negros Oriental benefitted from the week-long joint and combined AFP-USAF Humanitarian Civic Action/Civil Military Operation activities which started March 4. Bio-os Elementary School in Amlan and Pamplona Central Elementary School in Pamplona received facility repair, renovation and upgrades; and Tugawe Elementary School in Daiun was installed with a water tower, and its classrooms were repainted.

Speaking on behalf of AFP, Vice Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, Commander of AFP Central Command said the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR) operation Pacific Angel is much aligned with the Filipino Aspiration for lasting peace and progress. “The participation of everyone, the AFP, USPACAF, the civil authorities, and the community, depicts clearly the spirit of Bayanihan and Balikatan,” he said.

Rear Admiral Jose Miguel Rodriguez, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7 on the other hand said the AFP wants to be able to bring in the civilian sector in times of calamity. “The challenge is to catalyze the civilian sector to take responsibility for Disaster and Risk Reduction Management and not be wholly dependent on national government and the military alone. This exercise is a testament to that success in working harmoniously together,” He said.

The closing ceremony was attended by Hon. Bentham P. Dela Cruz, Municipal Mayor of Amlan, Negros Oriental, Mrs. Robin Diallo, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy, Major General Jon R. Shasteen representative of USAF, and Vice Admiral Edgar L. Abogado.

Civilians Benefit from Pacific Angel MEDCAPs

Meanwhile, over 7,000 civilians from Negros Oriental benefitted from the series of Medical Civic Action Programs (MEDCAPs) conducted during the week-long Operation Pacific Angel 2013.

A total of 6,502 residents from Dumaguete City, and 1,008 from Tanjay City benefitted from the health service operations provided by soldiers and medical personnel from the AFP and USAF. General healthcare, optometry, dental, physical therapy, and circumcision were the services offered at both MEDCAP sites.

Among the beneficiaries were 38 families affected by the recent 6.9 magnitude earthquake which hit Guihulngan City last February 2012. Ninety-two patients coming from the affected families currently living in Guihulngan’s Tent City were brought to the two sites in Tanjay and in Dumaguete City. Transportation to the two MEDCAP sites was provided by troops from the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Guihulngan so that these earthquake victims can avail of the free medical and dental services offered by Operation Pacific Angel.

Ophelia Acbal, 34 yrs old, of Sitio Looc, Guihulngan, came down from Tent City to have the pain in her leg checked. It was found that she had a fractured leg and was given medicine for the pain and new crutches to help her walk after she was treated by the doctors. Acbal expressed her gratitude for the pain medicine provided by the visiting forces having lived with the pain for almost a year. “Now that my leg is treated I can now look forward to finding work and providing food for my family as soon as it heals,” shared a teary-eyed Acbal.

Operation Pacific Angel is an annual humanitarian assistance program sponsored by the USPACIFIC command and implemented by the US Pacific Air Force (PACAF) in partnership with the AFP. The aim of OPA is to enhance the response capability of the AFP and the local civil authorities during disasters and calamities. Additionally, this exercise aims to test and improve interoperability between the two armed forces with the participation of the local stakeholders in disaster response and rehabilitation.

This undertaking is part of AFP’s continuing engagements with the US Armed Forces for the benefit and development of rural communities in the country. Pacific Angel 2013 is an opportunity for the AFP and USAF to strengthen its friendship by keeping in touch with the people of Negros Oriental through various humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness activities.

http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/19-afp-data-articles/latest-news/1114-operation-pacific-angel-2013-ends-over-7000-benefit-from-medical-engineering-services