DUMAGUETE CITY , Philippines — About 1,400 residents from the island-province of Siquijor on Wednesday availed themselves of free medical and dental services given by the Philippine Army during the 41st Araw ng Bayan celebration of Siquijor, the capital town of the province.
Siquijor town, the capital of Siquijor province, celebrated its 41st Araw Ng Bayan 2013 with the theme: "Siquijor Atong Lungsod, Atong Panggaon".
Medical and dental teams of the 302nd Infantry Brigade and 79th Infantry Battalion in Negros Oriental, together with reservists from the 703rd and 704th Community Defense Centers and volunteer nurses participated in the Medical and Dental Civic Action Program (MEDCAP).
The Philippine Army contingents and civilian volunteers were ferried from the Tandayag Port of Amlan town in Negros Oriental to Siquijor and vice versa via a Philippine Navy vessel.
Services offered during the MEDCAP, which also benefitted residents from adjacent municipalities, included medical consultation and dental services, circumcision, eye examination, blood examination and blood pressure examination.
The MEDCAP was spearheaded by the Siquijor provincial government along with civil society organizations, civilian volunteers and the media, according to Capt. Cresencio Gargar, public information officer of the 302nd IBde, in a press release Thursday.
Brigadier Gen. Francisco Patrimonio, 302nd Ibde commander, said the military's participation in the program "was part of our continuing efforts in delivering basic health services to the less privileged residents in the brigade's area of responsibility." (FREEMAN)