Photo By Staff Sgt. Anne Henry | Petty Officer 2nd Class James Green distributes medical care Oct. 14 at Tagburos...... read more read more
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PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines- U.S. and Philippine forces conducted a bilateral medical and dental civic affairs project Oct. 15 at Tagburos Elementary School as part of the bilateral Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2013.
The purpose of the joint mission was to provide medical and dental care to local Barangay residents living around Tagburos Elementary School. Humanitarian assistance and training activities like this enable both countries’ military forces to break cultural barriers, train together and improve interoperability while providing services to local areas.
This will be the second MEDCAP/DENCAP in Puerto Princesa during PHIBLEX. The first was held Oct. 9-10 at Macarascas Elementary School. Corpsmen, doctors and dentists from various branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Marines and Sailors, as well as local Barangay healthcare workers, provided care to over 1000 Philippine citizens from the surrounding area. Both of the MEDCAPS were conducted side-by side with Philippine forces.
“This will be the second of the MEDCAP/DENCAP missions here in Puerto Princesa,” said Lt. Ankush K. Jain, a medical officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 31 attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “Many people do not have the means to pay for preventative care. As a result the medical care we are able to provide is really helping the people.
In addition, Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel and U.S. Marines and Sailors have been working together to install a new septic system at the school as part of an engineering civic action project.
Local Barangay members who came to the MEDCAP/DENCAP would register their issue when they arrived and then report to either medical or dental, or both, to be evaluated by providers from the U.S. and the Philippines. Both the medical and dental projects ran simultaneously to allow more people through quickly and efficiently.
“Taguburos Elementary is in a much more urban environment than our previous site, Macarascas.” said Lt. Zachary Smith, the medical planner with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. “Because of this, a greater amount of the local community will be seen. The more patients that receive care, the greater the impact we are making.”
During the course of the day, Brig. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade visited Tagburos together with Remingo C. Valdez, the deputy commander of the Philippine Marine Corps, to ensure the project was running smoothly.
“Many of our people here are less fortunate and do not have this level of care available to them.” said Lt. Col. Luis Capacia, the commanding officer of dental dispensary with Naval Forces West. “It has been a truly great privilege to work with the U.S. forces during PHIBLEX in order to improve the lives of our people.”
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.21.2012 22:23 |
| Story ID: | 96525 |
| Location: | PUERTO PRINCESA, PH |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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