US-PH navies team up for disaster preparedness

From the Manila Standard Today (Jan 29): US-PH navies team up for disaster preparedness

The United States and  Philippine Navies have teamed up with the provincial government of Pangasinan to conduct a medical mission and disaster preparedness seminar called “Pacific Partnership 2015.”

Representatives from the US and Philippine Navy paid a courtesy call to provincial Governor Amado Espino Jr. to further iron out the plans for the project on Jan. 26.

Pacific Partnership 2015 activities in regard to health, direct community relations, and disaster response will be held in July and August while the US Navy ship Mercy undergoes repairs in Subic.

“We are here to arrange partnerships in working with Pangasinan in the areas of disaster risk reduction, medical and veterinary services,” said US Navy Commander Natalie Wells of their second visit in the province.

In November 2014 the US and Philippine navy contingents paid a visit to the province for an initial consultative meeting with the provincial doctors and other officials.

“One thing I remember on my first visit here is “Pangasinan, number 1,” Wells said.
Lt. Commander Elmer Jimenez of the US Navy, a native of Calasiao, Pangasinan, said he was looking forward to training his fellows in the province.

“Twenty-five years ago I left Pangasinan. This is the first time since then that I can help our province,” Jimenez said.

Philippine Navy Commander Levi Carani from Dagupan City, Pangasinan, expressed his excitement over the partnership to “grab the opportunity to maximize what we can do.”

Espino thanked the navy contingents and expressed optimism towards the established partnership.

Meanwhile, the provincial board during its regular session on Jan. 26 proposed a resolution  authorizing Gov. Amado Espino Jr. to enter into an agreement with Sta. Ana Healthcare Plus Corporation and International Pharmaceuticals Inc. for the provision of hospital facilities and equipment under public-private partnering scheme for the provincial government hospitals of Pangasinan.

http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/01/29/us-ph-navies-team-up-for-disaster-preparedness/