903rd Brigade conducts medical mission with NGO from Spain

The 903^rd Brigade conducted a three-day medical mission on August 1-4, 2011 in collaboration with an international NGO from Spain, the Asociacion Valenciana de Asistencia Sanitaria y Social Voluntarios (AVASSV), whose volunteer doctors and teachers traveled all the way from Valencia, Spain. The activity was made possible through the active endorsement of Mr Vincent Nato, the Chief of Staff of Secretary Imelda Nicolas of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas and The Lewis College in Sorsogon City.

Mr Nato has been an active partner of the Brigade in its effort to “win the peace” in Sorsogon. He was instrumental in the allocation of scholarship slots for the four (4) “Bayanihan Iskolars” of the Brigade who are now enrolled at The Lewis College. Another two scholars are being sponsored by the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc studying in Legazpi City.

Mr Santiago Tapia, the head of the mission, said that a group from AVASSV usually conducts two humanitarian missions in the country every year. They chose a location in Manila and the Bicol Region. The volunteers actually pay for their own plane ticket to the country. Mr Tapia was born in Naga City and was brought to Spain at a very young age. But he has not forgotten his roots in the Philippines.

Col Felix Castro Jr, 903^rd Brigade Commander, thanked Mr Tapia and his group for their selfless efforts in helping the less fortunate who could not afford the medicines they provided. He urged them to always include the province of Sorsogon, and if possible Masbate, as part of their program.

Sorsogon Gov Raul Lee tendered a dinner for the group on August 4 in gratitude for their services.

MGen Josue Gaverza Jr, the 9^th Infantry Division Commander, sent a medical team from Camp Elias Angeles Station Hospital in 9ID led by Cpt Marita Rhodora Penequito and 1Lt Ma Christine Samson to support the medical mission and brought additional medicines. Personnel from the Municipal Health Office of Castilla and Casiguran also participated.

A total of 812 persons benefited from the three-day inter-agency program as shown in the summary below:

	Brgys Visited in Sorsogon Province			Total
	Pandan, Castilla	Amomonting, Castilla	San Pascual, Casiguran
Medical Check-up	175	156	235	566
Basic Computer Operation	32	-	-	32
Basic Spanish Language Lesson	60	56	63	179
Haircut	-	-	35	35
Total	267	212	323	812
			Grand Total

Aside from the ample medicines, the AVASSV also donated two (2) laptop computers to Brgy Pandan, Castilla for use of the barangay council and the high school teachers.

The Brigade intends to maintain its link to AVASSV. The partnership it has started will go a long way in “winning the peace” in the province.

9IB conducts Medical and Dental mission in Masbate

               The 9^th Infantry (SANDIGAN) Battalion recently conducted a medical and dental mission in Barangays Paraiso and Tinaclipan, both of Milagros, Masbate and Bayombom, Masbate City from 15 – 17 July 2011. The activities included medical and dental treatment, bloodletting, free haircut, feeding program and giving of school supplies.

            Mayor Nanette Magbalon of Milagros supported the conduct of the activity in her municipality. She was, in fact, present in the two barangays. During the opening program, she reiterated her commitment to support the activities of 9IB.

            Sister Elviera Arcenas of Think Act Peace Foundation (TAPF) explained that this was the first time that she saw the soldiers, the police and the municipal employees join together for a common undertaking. She expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the activity, especially to LtCol Julian Pacatan of 9IB. She also cited P/Insp Mary Ann Arceo, Milagros Chief of Police, for her support.

            Brgy Capt Mindo Briol of Brgy Tinaclipan and Brgy Capt Esperanza Gross of Brgy Paraiso, together with her husband Manfred Gross, were all very busy supporting the activity.

            On the other hand, the medical and dental activity in Brgy Bayombom had the support of Mayor Socrates Tuazon and Brgy Capt Augustor Erebete. The early preparations made by the barangay officials, the soldiers and other government officials made the affair a success.

            The activities were also supported by the 9^th Infantry Division who sent personnel to assist 9IB. Cpt Marita Rhodora Penequito MC and 1Lt Kristine Cayco DS traveled all the way from Camarines Sur to participate in the medical and dental mission.

            The 3-day activity has benefitted a total of 1,948 less fortunate residents of Masbate as shown below:

DATE	PLACE	NR OF BENEFICIARIES
July 15	Brgy Paraiso, Milagros	778
July 16	Brgy Tinaclipan, Milagros	909
July 17	Brgy Bayombom, Masbati City	261

Clashes in Bicol yield guns, bombs

              Week-long clashes with New People’s Army guerillas in Sorsogon yielded high-powered firearms, home-made explosives and a laptop computer storing rebel tax collections.

            Army 9th Infantry Division spokesman Maj. Angelo Guzman said that Army troopers recovered an M-16 rifle, an M-14 Garand rifle, an M-653 (Baby Armalite), an AK-47 assault rifle, an improvised explosive device (IED) and seven bagpacks of subversive documents.

            Guzman said 903rd Brigade commander Col. Felix Castro dispatched a seven-man team under the 49th Infantry Battalion to check reported rebel activities in Palale, Bulan, Sorsogon, when it clashed with the rebels for 20 minutes.

            Army team leader 1Lt. Jerry Colago said they were approaching three men fixing their hammocks near a hut when they were fired upon by the latter and fled. Colago said bloodstains were found on the trails, indicating some of the rebels were wounded. He said the rebels left behind their firearms and bagpacks in their haste to escape.

            On July 5, an NPA rebel surrenderee, led troopers from the 49th IB to a rebel hideout in Bgy. Tugawe, Gubat town which resulted in a five-minute firefight.

            The troopers recovered a laptop computer which revealed rebel tax collections in Sorsogon.

            Earlier in San Ramon, Barcelona, Sorsogon, troopers from the 49th IB also recovered improvised explosives, two triggering devices, a 250-meter electrical wire, four small batteries, cellphones and bagpacks after a 15-minute firefight with the rebels which injured Pfc. Ariel Matutina in the left arm.

            Guzman said they had initiated 18 combat operations against the NPA rebels since last January and repelled 14 NPA attacks mostly in Sorsogon and Masbate.

            In the said encounters, government troopers recovered 12 landmines, assorted high-powered firearms and improvised explosives. (news)

NADESCOM, ABS-CBN Leads Groundbreaking for Brgy Pandan School Building

         BGen Rene Pilapil, the Deputy Commander of the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM), AFP, was the guest of honor during the groundbreaking activities last June 30, 2011 for the construction of a two-classroom school building on the campus of Pandan High School in Brgy Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon. ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc., which was represented by Mr Marcel Rinon, will shoulder the cost of building materials. The municipality of Castilla headed by Mayor Olive “Padi” Bermillo committed to pay for the labor.

Through the initiative of the 903^rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army headed by Col Felix J Castro Jr., the ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation Inc. was convinced to sponsor the construction of the school building. He also persuaded Mayor Bermillo to shoulder the cost of labor as their counterpart. The additional classrooms will allow the school to accept students up to the 4^th year level next school year.

In his speech, BGen Pilapil lauded the collective efforts of the community stakeholders for the project which is a reflection of their unity and cooperation. He thanked ABS-CBN for all the charitable endeavors it is undertaking in line with its social responsibility to the people. He complimented Mayor Bermillo for the efforts in bringing development in the area. He urged everyone to continue the “bayanihan” spirit in every undertaking that they will pursue.

Mrs Lucia Villa, the teacher-in-charge of Pandan High School, was overwhelmed in gratitude for the effort of the soldiers. In her speech, she mentioned that they never expected this “gift” which came as a surprise. The additional classrooms will also benefit the students from five other barangays who had to walk several kilometers to go to nearby Bgry Dinapa where they study. The barangay officials, parents and other teachers were also very thankful.

Mr Marcel Rinon acknowledged the efforts of Col Castro for bringing ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. to Brgy Pandan. He cited the atmosphere of cooperation among the people which is an indication that the project will be successful. He added that aside from the classrooms, there will also be a feeding program for the small children.

For his part, Mr Vince Nato, the Chief of Staff of Sec Imelda Nicolas of the Commission for Filipinos Overseas, promised to bring additional assistance to the community. He explained that there are many Sorsoganons abroad who are only too willing to help their countrymen. He said that the 903^rd Brigade could act as one of the conduits through which this assistance could be channeled down to the barangays.

The 903^rd Brigade took advantage of the ceremony to present its “Bayanihan Iskolars”. The unit was able to solicit six slots for college scholarships to deserving students of Brgy Pandan.  Two of them – Maybellene Bataller and Marjorie Delayre - are sponsored by ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. Four are sponsored by The Lewis College in Sorsogon City where they are enrolled: Lanilyn Alano, Rhea Salvosa, Lily-Ann Valle and Jose Arnel Mallete. Jose Mallete got the surprise of his life when he was gifted with a wheelchair donated by ABS-CBN. Jose lost both legs when he was 14 years old.

In his remarks, Col Castro reiterated his unit’s commitment to support the government’s development efforts not only in Brgy Pandan and the municipality of Castilla, but to the whole province of Sorsogon. He ended by saying: ”If we will work together, if we are united towards a common goal..then we could achieve whatever we aim for.’

          Hopefully, the large audience and the lively atmosphere during the ceremony was an indication of a bright future ahead. 

903rd Brigade joins Gawad Kalinga“Freedom Build”

         The 903^rd Infantry Brigade joined the “Freedom Build” conducted by Gawad Kalinga of Sorsogon on June 10-12, 2011 in Harong Pagkamoot GK Village in Brgy Poblacion, Castilla, Sorsogon. It was a massive mobilization event wherein volunteers from all sectors of society participated in the construction/ building of houses for the poorest of the poor. The activity was jibed with the Independence Day celebration.

           The Community Building Program seeks to empower poor communities to become self-reliant and sustainable by building up its people, preparing their leaders and residents to eventually care for their own communities and be capable of helping others as well. It fits well with the People-Centered Approach being espoused under the AFP’s IPSP Bayanihan.

            And so the Brigade volunteered to help in the 3 day activity. It even purchased several sets of tools that would be needed by the soldiers. Troops of the 3^rd Special Forces Company based in Brgy Bayasong, Castilla sent two teams to augment troops from the Brigade headquarters.

Groups from as far as Masbate, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Albay joined the event. Working together with the soldiers, it was a classic practice of the “bayanihan” spirit.

During the opening ceremony, Col Felix Castro Jr, the 903^rd Brigade Commander, explained why the soldiers volunteered to help in the building program. He said that while this is part of the new role of the soldiers, it was more because of the ‘joy of helping” that the soldiers worked tirelessly to complete a house. The appreciation of the recipients also added to the contentment of a work well-done.

 

“We promise to participate in all projects of Gawad Kalinga in Sorsogon and Masbate.”, Col Castro said as the commitment of the Brigade. The unit was given a Certificate of Appreciation by the organizers for their effort and hard work.

The bayanihan spirit lives on with the projects of Gawad Kalinga and 903^rd Brigade.