ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – It would take about four hours under uncertain weather condition for a motorized banca to sail from Isabela City port to the farthest island of Hji Muhtamad municipality in Basilan province. But the army soldiers, doctors, and development civilian workers have braved the rough seas in order to bring civic and medical services to the province’s farthest
Joining the
4th Special Forces Army Battalion in this civic-medical mission at Dasalan
Island last Oct. 21-22 were the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Nagdilaab
Foundation Inc, volunteer doctors, ophthalmologist, dentist, individuals from
government and private sectors, some US Forces together with the provincial
government of Basilan and the office of the Vice Mayor of Hji Muhtamad town.
4SF battalion
commander Lieutenant Colonel Eliglen Villaflor said that the last island of the
town is really in need of the services but the lack of resources hampers the
local government to provide the people in the area. Thus, it is seeking support
from outside donors.
“This is
part of the action of the 4SF unit to provide focused civil-military
operations,” Lt. Col. Villaflor said, adding the unit only serves as a catalyst
in mobilizing various individuals and organizations with a passion to provide
outreach program to underserved communities.
On the first day,
around 300 individuals of all ages benefited from the medical, dental, and
civic activities with a number of boys availing of free circumcision and
haircut.
Other children
gamely played with some soldiers from the army and US Forces while elderlies
got free eye checkup and free reading glasses.
Villaflor said
the medicines were courtesy of the Pharmaceutical Association of the Philippines
He further said,
“the ultimate goal of the activity is to contribute to the establishment of a
better Basilan,” adding “a healthy society requires healthy people in
communities.”
The army also
intends to organize the women and the youth so that they can help themselves
and the community in times of emergency situations.
“We know that the
future of the nation lies among the youth who are the hope of the nation and on
mothers who are the foundation of every home. And they need all the guidance
and help so that they can build better societies,” Villaflor said.
The second day
centered on information, education, and communication sessions on such topics,
like family planning and gender and awareness session, climate change
adaptation and mitigation, and solid waste management, among others.
Free food
supplements, slippers, hygiene kit, and school supplies were also distributed.
Moreover,
PIA-Basilan conducted an orientation-lecture on climate change and storm surge
to some 30 men and women of Dasalan, emphasizing the vulnerability of the
island to big waves and tsunami. The PIA staff also urged residents, who are a
mix of Sama, Tausog, and Bajau, to plant more mangroves to protect their
communities from storm surge.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421446433481/feature-4sf-army-braving-rough-seas-to-bring-medical-services-to-dasalan-island-in-basilan
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