By Edwin Fernandez/PNA
AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – More than 1,000 indigent residents of remote villages here benefited from the medical and dental outreach program jointly conducted by the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB) and the provincial health team on Wednesday.
The 21st Mechanized Company of the 2nd MIB, headed by 1Lt. Juvylito Lisondra, in coordination with the local government of Ampatuan and the Maguindanao medical team headed by Lynette Estandarte, conducted the outreach program in Barangay Tomicor, Ampatuan town.
Lisondra said as a continuing program of the unit, the activity intends to deliver free health services to the constituents of Ampatuan, especially to the less fortunate residents who need medical attention.
“About 416 individuals have availed of free medical consultation, 32 had their tooth extracted, 25 young boys were circumcised, and more than 200 received hygiene kits,” he said.
On top of the medical services, the provincial government, through the medical team, distributed 10 sacks of hybrid yellow corn seeds to farmer beneficiaries, and 200 school bags with 211 pairs of slippers for schoolchildren.
Free haircuts were given to 65 males, both youths and adults, while all the participants, soldiers, health workers, and village officials enjoyed sumptuous meals through food packs provided by the local government.
Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, the Army’s 6th Infantry Division commander, lauded the local government of Maguindanao for partnering with the Army in delivering basic health services to impoverished communities in its area of operation.
“I am grateful that the local government of Maguindanao continuously conducts this kind of program together with the military,” Sobejana said.
Another company of the 2nd MIB, meanwhile, conducted a cleanup drive simultaneous with the medical-dental outreach program.
In Barangay Talisawa, Datu Abdullah Sangki, Maguindanao, just adjacent to Ampatuan, elements of the Army’s 23rd Mechanized Infantry Company, in partnership with local officials, cleaned portions of the national highway.
The activity was participated in by Datu Abdulla Sangki Vice Mayor Somsoden Sangki, village officials and students of the Datu Abdula M. Camino Memorial National High School.
