Over 300 Tukuran villagers benefit from free medical, dental services

From the Philippine Information Agency (Mar 9): Over 300 Tukuran villagers benefit from free medical, dental services

At least 304 villagers have received on Saturday free medical and dental services extended by the medical and dental teams of the 1st Infantry Tabak Division, Philippine Army at Manlayag Elementary School here.

The medical and dental mission was a joint undertaking of the 1st Cavalry Squadron (Tagapanugna) Battalion, Mechanized Infantry Division and 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment with the support of the Tabak Dental Office and Pagadian City Health Office, conducting medical checkup, consultation, circumcision and tooth extraction with free medicines.

Lt. Col. Charlemagne Batayola Jr., commanding officer of 1st Cavalry Squadron in his message said the activity was to show care and genuine concern for stakeholders as part of the enhanced Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) Bayanihan activities of Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which seeks to intensify engagement of stakeholders.

Batayola said the AFP Bayanihan teams were directed by the higher headquarters to perform over and above their usual tasks in bringing peace in far-flung communities through peace projects and infrastructure development in coordination with the local government units and agencies, civil-society organizations and non-government organizations.

“Ang AFP ay magpapatupad pa ng maraming programa upang mapabuti ang kalagayan ng ating mamamayan at katulong ang lahat ng local government units at non-government organizations upang makamit ang minimithing kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng ating bayan,” Batayola said.

(The AFP will implement many programs to improve the living condition of our people and with the help of all local government units and non-government organizations to achieve the desired peace and progress of our nation).

1FAB commander Lt. Col. Sonny Sales in his message delivered by Capt. Win Love Bag-ao, civil-military operations officer said the activity was initiated by the AFP to help the destitute families who could not afford to pay for the dental and medical services.

“Sa ginagawa naming medical and dental mission, maipadama naming mga  sundalo ang totoong pagmamahal at serbisyo sa kapwa-tao lalong-lalo na sa mga mahihirap. Sa araw na ito, tayong lahat ay nagtipon-tipon at nagkakaisa upang makamit natin ang minimithing kasaganaan, kaunlaran, at kapayapaan,”Bag-ao said quoting Sales.

(In our medical and dental mission, we the soldiers can share our sincere love and service to our fellowmen especially to the poor. Today, we all gathered here and are united for us to achieve prosperity and peace.)

Meanwhile, Punong Barangay Cerelo Halang thanked the AFP for doing the activity in his barangay. 

"Kami nagpasalamat sa AFP paghimo ning maong kalihokan dinhi sa among barangay pinaagi pagtanyag sa libre nga mga serbsiyo. Sa pagkatinuod lang, dako kaayo ni ug katabang sa among mga katawhan nga dili gyud makagasto pagpapatuli sa ilang mga anak nga lalaki, pagpaibot sa ngipon, ug uban pa,” Halang proudly said.

(We extend our gratitude to AFP for conducting this activity here in our barangay. Indeed, this is a great help to our residents who could not afford to pay for the circumcision of their male children, tooth extraction, and others.)

The troopers also regaled the residents with drama, dance numbers and a film showing.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371425865226/over-300-tukuran-villagers-benefit-from-free-medical-dental-services