Pre-Balikatan 2015 activity formally starts in Capiz

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8): Pre-Balikatan 2015 activity formally starts in Capiz

One of the pre-Balikatan 2015 activities, the Basic First Responders Training, formally started at the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Peralta, Jamindan town, Capiz Tuesday.

Major Ray Tiongson, 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, said that 105 participants took part in the activity.

These can be broken down into 82 military personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division, 13 reservists from the 6th Regional Community Defense Group and 10 personnel from the Capiz Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council.

He added that the course will last April 10.

A series of lectures and practical exercises on basic life support, primary medical care, rescue procedures, and mass evacuation simulation, among others, will be conducted by the United States Cooperative Health Engagement Team headed by Capt. Jennifer Brown, a medical doctor in the American Army.

One of the objectives of the training is to promote and enhance the capabilities of both the Philippines and US Armed Forces in terms of humanitarian and civic assistance during disasters and calamities.

Meanwhile, Lt. Cmdr. Catherine Eyrich, Head of the US Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force for Balikatan Exercise in Panay said that the goal of the joint exercise is to build relationship and continue the active military-to-military partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Armed Forces.

Succeeding activities for Balikatan Exercise in Panay include Barangay Health Seminar to be participated by the local residents in Tapaz, Capiz, Civil-Military Operations Exchange Seminar at Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz for 3rd Infantry Division personnel, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Seminar.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=751190