US Pacific Partnership to conduct Legazpi health mission

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines (Philippine News Agency) — The United States Navy Pacific Partnership team is expected to arrive in this city on June 27 to provide medical services to the people of Legazpi and neighboring towns, the city's health chief said Thursday.

City Health Office Director Fulbert Gillego said village chiefs of patients should give them referrals to the US medical team for them to avail of medical services such as medical checkup, minor surgery, optical, dentistry and other public health services.

The US team, which is working with the Department of Education, will also construct school buildings in different villages of the province, he added.

The US Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of forces from the US Navy Pacific Fleet, in cooperation with the local government units and military forces.

Gillego said the US personnel will teach barangay health workers the proper caring for their patients and interact with students of the Tamaoyan Elementary School in the southern portion of this city to know which services the team should offer the community.

The American crewmen, city heath personnel and other employees  will also hold a clean-up activity in different coastal areas of Legazpi, he said.

Gillego said the American personnel and those from the  Southern Luzon Naval Forces will perform a three-day live band entertainment for the local residents at the Ibalong Centrum for Recreation, Albay Astrodome and Bicol University.

The medical mission of the US Pacific Partnership to the Philippines is part of strengthening the relationship and security ties between the two nations. — Emmanuel P. Solis