LIANGA, Surigao del Sur – The 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion, Philippine Army and the 41st Civil-Military Operations (CMO) Company, under the operational control of the 401st Infantry “Unite N’ Fight” Brigade, 4ID, PA, in collaboration with the Philippine General Council of the Assembly of God (PGCAG) and the Local Government Units (LGUs), spearheaded a two-day medical mission and outreach program on April 16-17, 2024, in Barangay Muritula, San Luis, Agusan del Sur, and Barangay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
The initiative aimed to provide essential healthcare and other government services to the less fortunate and underprivileged communities in the mentioned barangays, which are categorized under the conflict-affected and geographically isolated areas (GIDAS). Over the two days, the program provided free services, including medical consultations, optical and dental check-ups, circumcision, counseling, distribution of essential medicines, risk assessment, immunization, haircuts, feeding programs, fun games, and gift-giving to children. More than 500 residents benefited from this undertaking.
The 3SFBn commended the local leaders, NGOs, and partner stakeholders for collaborating to provide much-needed healthcare to the residents and emphasized that bringing the government closer to the people through convergence activities like this would make insurgency irrelevant.
Furthermore, Brigadier General Francisco F. Lorenzo Jr., the 401st Brigade Commander, acknowledged the efforts of the 3rd Special Forces Battalion. He encouraged participating agencies to maintain partnerships and collaboration to bring basic services to the less fortunate and underprivileged communities to attain peace, reconciliation, and development in the area which is the essence of the Whole of the Nation Approach being espoused by NTF-ELCAC.
“I hope our partnership and collaboration with government agencies and organizations will result in more activities like this, aiming to provide the needed services to communities in our AOR,” Brigadier General Lorenzo Jr. added.
