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Monday, May 30, 2011

ARMM Regional Government (ARG) Extends Health Support To Most Isolated Municipalities of PH through DOH-ARMM and IPHO-Tawi-tawi


Courtesy of ARMM Regional Government

Root of ARMM health problems identified
Once of the most challenging reality in ARMM, aside from the very high maternal, under-five and infant mortality rates and the overwhelmingly poor state of health reflected on the National Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2008, is the lack of confidence to health workers, poor health seeking attitude and unresponsive population to various health programs. Of all possible reasons, it can be attributed on the lack of direct intervention in many difficult areas wherein specialized services are never offered, basically due to lack of specialist physicians serving the remote areas, lack of facilities, inadequate equipments, insufficient and overworked manpower, widespread poverty, geographic and security isolation of many communities, and the cost of intervention.

Outreach plan, reaching out activity.

ARMM’s DOH Secretary Sinolinding who is a practicing ophthalmologist proposed and spearheaded the “Kasama Mo si Sec (KMS) Project. A unique, perhaps the only one in the country that addresses the often neglected services that were long sought in many isolated and difficult areas. With a group of Physicians and Nurses, dared the rough seas of Tawi-tawi province just to reach out and serve the most isolated municipalities of the province, the Sibutu, South Ubian, Mapun and Turtle Islands (taganak). Armed with the marching orders of the Acting Regional Governor Ansaruddin Adiong to provide excellent services to the people of the region in response to President Aquino’s Universal Access to Health Care, physician volunteers from DOH-ARMM headed by Regional secretary Dr. Kadil Jojo Sinolinding in tandem with other volunteers headed by Tawi-tawi provincial Health officer Dr Sukarno Asri made the plan an reality.

Children’ First.

A US Army paediatrician assigned to the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines helped out in the provision of pediatric care among the residents. He is being supported by Dr. Falmi Usman, Dr Oliver Lee, Dr. George Lee, and Dr. Uribe. They have served at least 550 cases, provided with complete lines of medicines.

Measles Rubella Eradication Campaign.

One of the major agenda in the outreach activity is the campaign for the total eradication of Measles Rubella in the region, a preventable disease that accounts to a significant number of outbreak in the country. In the recent months, only Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur reported to have sporadic cases minus the island provinces. Thanks to the concerted effort of all health workers of ARMM.

Sight First.

World class eye surgery in the middle of nowhere, even in the most unsuited situation? Yes. Not because of any fancy reason but of the pressing need. With a resounding demand to perform eye surgeries to many blind people, Ophthalmologists Dr. Jojo Sinolinding and  Dr. Elizabeth Chin performed a total of 15 major eye surgeries mostly cataracts and 5 minor procedures.

Other Health Programs Implemented

One of the most popular services here is the Oplan Tuli’s free circumcision and Oplan Ngipin’s dental services that served close to four hundred residents. Oplan Bukol that addresses removal of cysts and unwanted growths in the body served well too. Safe Motherhood Karavan that provided services for birth spacing and other reproductive health concerns received a high demand for the intervention.



Friday, May 27, 2011

USAID and US Forces collaborate on future projects


Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines – Robert Burch, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Education Chief (Right), Michael Rossman, USAID Office of Regional Procurement Chief, and Navy Capt. Robert V. Gusentine, commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) discuss collaboration opportunities during a meeting May 2.  The meeting focused on opportunities for USAID and JSOTF-P to further the Philippine government’s “whole of government” Internal Peace and Security Plan with support by the U.S. Embassy’s “3-D” – diplomacy, development, and defense - approaches to combating terrorism in the Southern Philippines.  (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Ted Green)




Zamboanga City, Republic of the Philippines – Robert Burch, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Education Chief, (Right) talks with the commander of the Civil Affairs Company, Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P), during a meeting May 2.  The meeting focused on opportunities for USAID and JSOTF-P to further the Philippine government’s “whole of government” Internal Peace and Security Plan with support by the U.S. Embassy’s “3-D” – diplomacy, development, and defense - approaches to combating terrorism in the Southern Philippines.  (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Ted Green)

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Visual and musical expression

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (May 6, 2010) – Attendees of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s  Art for Peace show listen to music by local Tausug musicians.  Art work from local artists including the internationally acclaimed Rameer Tawasil and Philippine National Artist Abdulmari Imao was on display.  Pieces by local City Councilor Gerky Velasco Jr. and on the left by Capt. Robert Gusentine, commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines are backdrop for the musicians. Mindanao’s cultural appreciation for art and expression has become a venue for advancing a sense of peace and community.   (Photo by Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs)

The spirit of the carabao

ZAMBOANGA, Republic of the Philippines (May 6, 2010) – Zamboanga City Mayor, Celso L. Lobregat (front) and other attendees of Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s Art for Peace show discuss the significance of the carabao in Philippine culture.  Here they are looking at a work by Commander, Joint Special Operation Task Force – Philippines, Capt. Robert Gusentine.  Various local artists, to include Gusentine and the internationally acclaimed Rameer Tawasil, displayed their work for the public.  Mindanao’s cultural appreciation for art and expression has become a venue for advancing a sense of peace and community.  (Photo by Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines Public Affairs)

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Congressional Representatives visit Philippines


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania meets with Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command.  Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1, 2011 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen Raymundo B. Ferrer, commander, Western Mindanao Command discusses the importance of the strategic partnership between U.S. Special Operations Forces and Armed Forces of the Philippines to counter terrorism in the southern Philippines with U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania. Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)


BASILAN, Republic of the Philippines –A member of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) who is embedded with Philippine Armed Forces in Basilan briefs U.S. Congressional members about U.S. support and assistance to Philippine security forces in the Southern Philippines, at the request of the Government and Armed Forces of the Philippines.    U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1 as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)


ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines  – Mayor Celso L. Lobregat of Zamboanga City presents U.S. Rep. Todd Russell Platts from Pennsylvania and other congressional members with a token of appreciation for their visit to the area.  Rep. Platts, Rep. Stephen Lynch from Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Kelly from Pennsylvania, and Rep. Ed Perlmutter from Colorado visited the Philippines on May 1as part of a routine trip through the Asia-Pacific region. These members of the U.S. House of Representatives visited Manila, Zamboanga, and Basilan to consult with Philippine officials and conduct oversight of U.S. cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.  (Official U.S. Navy Photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Ted Green.)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

U.S. Provides PNP With New Equipment


By Philippine National Police Public Information Office

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Republic of the Philippines – The U.S. recently provided nearly 325,000 pesos (USD 7,500)  worth of communications equipment to a local Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Battalion following its recent operations in Basilan.

The PNP’s 5th Special Action Battalion received portable radios, laptops, printers, and other communication equipment.

“This equipment will directly benefit Philippine forces on the ground combating terrorist elements in Basilan,” said a senior member of the PNP’s 5th Special Action Battalion. “This program highlights the importance of our partnership with the United States.”

The U.S. Rewards Program provides cash, goods, or services to reward individuals for information or assistance that is beneficial to military force protection or operations against international terrorism, specifically the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist groups.

The general public is also encouraged to participate in the program.  Individuals or whole communities can qualify for rewards for information or assistance they provide to aid security forces in operations.
Since January 2011, 12 individuals and communities have received rewards totaling more than 4.25 million pesos (nearly USD 100,000).