THRU the initiative of Brigadier General Virgilio Garcia, First TAS Brigade Commander of the AFP Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) who hails from Jolo, Sulu, the AFPRESCOM, through the Civil Military Affairs Brigade headed by Commodore Enrico Talon, will conduct an expanded medical civic action program (MEDCAP) on May 2 at the Santanina Rasul Youth Center in Jolo, Sulu.
In the afternoon, a Musikapayapaan Concert featuring about seven (7) bands coming from Manila led (tentatively) by Calla Lily, and some other military bands under the Joint Task Group Sulu (JTGS) will entertain the Sulu populace at the Sulu Provincial Sports Complex.
Medical specialists will also be flying in from Manila to do eight (8) major surgeries for patients with diseases/illnesses anywhere in the neck down to the feet, and minor operations such as circumcision and cyst removals, as well as tooth extractions.
The JTGS under its commander, Col. Alan R. Arrojado, who is also commanding officer of the 501st Brigade, has for the past weeks been busy coordinating with the chief of the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) of Sulu, Dr. Fahra Tan-Omar and anaesthesiologist Dr. Rey Pescadera in indentifying and screening possible patients who will undergo the operations.
Twice to thrice a week meetings are held by the JTGS at the Sulu Area Coordinating Center (SACC) with various stakeholders, including the Association of Barangay Captains in Sulu, to apprise everybody of their respective roles in the forthcoming activities.
SACC Executive Director Fazlur-Rahman Abdulla’s enthusiasm in participating in all the civic action programs of the AFP is truly noteworthy.
Despite the apprehension of some media personalities in going to Sulu, understandably so for first timers, the willingness to serve is foremost in their minds.
Veteran columnist Arlyn dela Cruz who has covered Sulu many times in the past has not an inch of apprehension, though, and said “yes” as soon as I invited her.
She said she would also like to particularly cover the Pacman-Mayweather fight as seen in Sulu on May 3 for Phil. Daily Inquirer. BEEN THERE DONE THAT/JOSEPHINE JARON-CODILLA
