97 Kalinga residents benefit from free medical mission

By Peter A. Balocnit

Monday 4th of June 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, June 4 (PIA) -- Ninety-seven residents of this city benefited from a free medical-dental services rendered by the 21st Infantry Battalion and the 206th Community Defense Center (CDC) recently.

1Lt. Jerome Yee, Civil Military Operations Officer of the 21st IB, said the outreach mission included free haircut to 50 beneficiaries, 20 for circumcision, and 20 underwent dental treatment.

He said all patients were also given free medicines, while the rest of the residents of Banneng in Barangay Calaccad where this activity was held were given information on development partnership with the military and the government.

“This activity is one among a series of outreach missions done in outskirts barangays of Kalinga,” he said.

The 21st IB commander, Lt. Col. Felix Benitez and the Lt. Col. Efraim Orodio, Commanding Officer of the 1st Ready Reserve Battalion, personally led their respective teams during the May 30 humanitarian mission.

Calccad barangay chairman Peter Binulok thanked the joint team of volunteers saying, “it was their first time to be served by medical teams.”

"We have to bring our sick to the hospital in Bulanao or Dagupan through hiking, so we are glad that you came to help us,” he told the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Yee said that their battalion is still conducting “Brigada Eskwela” even if classes started today in the public schools. He said Benitez sent a group of soldiers to Pinagan Elementary School and to Tabuk City National High School – New Tanglag Annex to help them repair classrooms and chairs.

The military personnel will do weeding and brushing tomorrow on the respective grounds of these said schools. (JDP/PAB- PIA CAR, Kalinga)