AFP conducts medical, dental mission in support of PHL NCC celebrations

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 23): AFP conducts medical, dental mission in support of PHL NCC celebrations

In line with its community development mission, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) conducted a medical and dental mission Tuesday as part of the country's observance of National Children's Congress (NCC).

“The AFP supports these kinds of activities for the youth. It is important that we give recognition to our children and encourage quality education and learning to all our Filipino youth,” said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya.

Marginalized children are the primary beneficiaries of the AFP medical and dental mission which was held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

The five-day event culminated in an “Araw ng Kabataan” which gathered 900 children beneficiaries of the "Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program" of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) across the 87 provinces of the Philippines, and also 200 participants from partner organizations, and sponsors.

NCC in the Philippines started on Nov. 18 and ended on the 22nd. The lead agency for the week-long celebration is the DSWD under Secretary Judy Taguiwalo

“We hope that through the medical and dental mission, the AFP will be able to show its unwavering support to other government organizations such as the DSWD in advancing the welfare of the youth and in making them ready to lead the country in the future,” Visaya said.

This year's NCC has the theme “Isulong: Kalidad na edukasyon para sa lahat ng bata.”

The annual activity aims to engage the youth with different activities to pool exemplary "Pantawid Pamilya" children beneficiaries and equip them with the essential knowledge on the program and to support children’s rights as well.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=942539