By Edwin Fernandez/PNA
AMPATUAN, Maguindanao – Hundreds of indigent families in several villages here have benefited from the joint medical-dental services rendered by the Army and the provincial government of Maguindanao on Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Alvin Iyog, commanding officer of the Army’s 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (2MIB), spearheaded the medical mission in partnership with the People’s Medical Team of Maguindanao and the local government of Ampatuan held in Barangay Kauran’s gymnasium.
Some 1,500 residents received free medical check-up, tooth extractions, circumcisions, and free hair-cut.
On top of the health services, the military and Maguindanao’s provincial government, headed by Governor Esmael Mangudadatu, distributed school bags, slippers for children, “malong” (Muslim tube skirt) for senior citizens, corn seeds for farmers, and hygiene kits for pregnant women.
Bai Susan Adil, a 30-year-old pregnant woman from Barangay Kauran, said she was elated over the health services extended by the Army and the provincial government.
“It is the first time in our village that health services are given to us, especially medicine for pregnant mothers like me,” she said in the vernacular.
Iyog said the delivery of health services to the grassroots aims to build an alliance among the various stakeholders of the government and the community.
“This activity has developed trust and confidence among the populace and the military as partners for peace and development,” said Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, as he lauded the 2MIB and Mangudadatu for initiating the project.
