Pacific Partnership 2015 starts humanitarian mission in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The US Navy team for the Pacific Partnership 2015 started conducting yesterday a three-day humanitarian and civic mission in this province.

A group of officers from the hospital ship USNS Mercy conducted veterinary services in the villages of Libsong East and West, Tonton, Rosario, Lasip, Wawa, Aliwekwek, Basing, Dulag, Tumbar and Namolan in this town.

A similar activity will be held today in several villages in San Carlos City.

Gov. Amado Espino Jr. welcomed the team, saying the US Navy Pacific Partnership would strengthen the ties between the US and the province.

Espino said the group would share with local rescue personnel new techniques on risk reduction management.

The US Navy also donated medicine to the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital and Lingayen District Hospital.

Provincial health officer Ana Maria Teresa de Guzman said the group would lead a forum on communicable and tropical diseases such as dengue, leptospirosis and tuberculosis.

The Pacific Partnership 2015 is said to be the largest multilateral humanitarian assistance and relief mission conducted annually in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.