Medical-Dental Mission in Aklan

Roland P. Alcayaga
July 16, 2008

After typhoon Frank hit the Philippines, on the fateful day of June 22, 2008, immediately there were news that the Visayan region, particularly Panay Island was hardly devastated, not to mention the ship Princess of the Stars which sank near Sibuyan Island and Romblon, causing the demise of more than 800 passengers. AMMS was informed that Iloilo was one of the hardest hit areas in Panay due to the crack of Dingle Dam as an aftermath of the typhoon, thus immediately it planned and organized a medical mission to support the national government in aiding those who were in great need of medical attention and relief goods. In the course of our preparation, Ms. Mabel Concepcion (BFAD, DOH Representative Southwestern Aklan) who is a close friend of AMMS BOT member Dean Maricon Boie informed us that Aklan needed assistance very badly, so that the venue for the medical mission was finally shifted to be held in Numancia, Aklan, which suffered from tremendous flash floods and mud flows that caused tremendous damage to a lot of infrastructures and communication facilities. And knowing that there were many agencies who headed for Iloilo to extend assistance.

AMMS staff immediately disseminated the information of the planned medical mission to volunteers and possible sponsors, donors and contributors for medicines and relief goods. Thru Mr. Lito Gualdajara, Pasig Barangay Federation for World Peace (BFWP) Project Director, AMMS was able to tap the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) thru Major General Alfredo Cayton enabling us to secure a C-130 Relief Flight to Aklan. Originally there were 26 volunteers composed of nine doctors, six dentists, two medical technologists, two pharmacists, four nurses and three volunteer staff who were enlisted. However due to the short notices of schedule, only a few were able to board the C130 flight on July 4, 2008 at 5:00 am. It was originally expected that the flight will be sometime between the eve of July 4 or in early morning of July 5. Nevertheless, seven volunteers headed by Roland P. Alcayaga made it and were able to catch up to bring medicines and supplies.

We decided to look for sponsors to ferry the rest of the team who were not able to join the C130 flight, however we were only able to bring six more staff headed by Dr. Primitivo D. Chua via Cebu Pacific who brought with them the additional medicines and relief goods such us clothes, noodles and canned goods. Due to the enormous cost of the over weight, some 6 boxes of relief clothings have to be left behind in Manila. The shipment of the said relief goods may still be arranged soon.

The first batch of volunteers landed at the Kalibo airport via Sta. Barbara, Iloilo at around 9:00 am. Arriving with them on the flight were tons of relief goods from various groups.

We were warmly welcomed at the airport by Ms. Mabel Concepcion, the Chairman of the Medical-Dental Mission (Southwestern Aklan-AMMS). Ms. Concepcion guided us and brought us to the following officials one after another to pay our courtesy calls:

First was to Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi, Jr. the Mayor of the Municipality of Makato who is also the Chairman of the Southwestern Aklan Interlocal Health Zone, Second was to Mayor Elvirita Templonuevo, the Mayor of the Municipality of Numancia, Aklan, together with her husband Former Mayor Ernesto I. Templonuevo of Numancia. And the third was to Dr. Rane Tabaner, Municipal Health Officer, Makato, Aklan.

We were accommodated at the residence of Ms. Concepcion.

It was originally planned that a two day medical-dental mission will be conducted; on the first day, Saturday, July 5, 2008 at the town of Numancia, and on the second day Sunday at Makato. However, it was finally decided by Chairman Legaspi to hold it only at Numancia.

The second batch of AMMS volunteers arrived on July 5, 2008 at 10:30 am, who were met by Ms. Mabel Concepcion. They were brought to the Parish Formation Center immediately.

On July 5, 2008, the mission held at the Parish Formation Center in Numancia, Aklan started at 8:30 AM with an opening prayer led by the Secretary General of AMMS, Mr. Roland P. Alcayaga and a brief orientation was given by Project Coordinator Mr. Paul.

This humanitarian project was supported by the Department of Health, Provincial Government of Aklan, the Local Government Units of Southwestern Aklan headed by Hon. Ramon S. Legaspi. Jr., Mayor, Municipality of Makato and being the Chairman of the Southwestern Aklan Interlocal Health Zone, Hon. Elverita T. Templonuevo, Mayor, Municipality of Numancia, Hon. Dominador Y. Ilio Jr., Mayor, Municipality of Malinao, Hon. Rex T. Gubatina, Mayor, Municipality of Madalag and Hon. Victor L. Fernandez, Mayor, Municipality of Lezo, the Aklan Medical Society, Aklan Allied Health Group headed by its President Dr. Cynthia C. Dela Cruz, the Philippine Pharmacists Association, Kabalikat Civicom 417 Aklan Chapter, and Numancia Parish Pastoral Council. Gov. Carlito S. Marquez visited the mission site and gave thanks to all the volunteers of the said mission.

The following are the services rendered with the corresponding result:

MEDICAL CONSULTATION 661

DENTAL 24

LABORATORY 53

(Urinalysis)

ECG 39

NEBULIZATION 5

TOTAL 782

Relief goods composed of used clothing, noodles and assorted canned goods were also distributed with the assistance of Mayor Legaspi.

The following day, July 6, 2008, a luncheon meeting with Dr. Lydia Depra Ramos, DOH Regional Director was held at the residence of Ms. Concepcion.

While waiting for the C-130 flight to Manila scheduled on July 7, 2008 at around 8AM, the team decided to drop by Boracay to pay a courtesy call to Dr. Adrian D. Salaver, the Rural Health Physician of Malay, Aklan and to donate some more medicines. However we were not able to contact Dr. Salaver because it was a Sunday. We decided to just leave the medicines to Ms. Concepcion who will hand over the donation to Dr. Salaver.

The Team was accommodated at the Club Ten Resort Hotel in Boracay for rest and recreation, through the arrangement made by Dr. Primitivo D. Chua. The Club Ten Resort Hotel is owned by ten Lion members of Manila Chinatown Lions Club.

The following day, the team left Boracay as early as 4 am hoping to catch the C-130 flight to Manila at the Kalibo airport. Unfortunately, there was a report that the plane developed technical problem and needed more time to be repaired so we decided to take the Dimple Star bus via roro on Starlite Ship instead enroute to Manila.

The team arrived Manila on July 8, 2008 at around 7 am.

We would like to thank the following who contributed much to the success of this humanitarian project:

1. Universal Peace Federation Philippines (President- Dr. Primitivo D. Chua)

2. Armed Forces of the Philippines (thru Major General Alfredo Cayton)

3. Lt. Col. Jose Maria Cuerpo

4. Major Resurrecion C. Mariano

5. Major Rogelio R. Mesias, Acting U7 Central Command

6. Cpt. Antonio A. Tumnog (FA) PA

7. Sgt. Diano

8. Department of Health Region IV thru Director Dr. Lydia Depra Ramos

9. Cong. Florencio T. Miraflores

10. Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Governor, Aklan

11. Vice Gov. Gabrielle Vicalizo

12. Mayor Ramon S. Legaspi, Jr., Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Makato; Chairman, Southwestern Aklan Interlocal Health Zone

13. Mayor Elvirita Templonuevo, Municipal Mayor, Municipality of Numancia, Aklan

14. Mayor Dominador Y. Ilio Jr., Municipal Mayor, Malinao, Aklan

15. Mayor Rex T. Gubatina, Municipal Mayor, Madalag, Aklan

16. Mayor Victor L. Fernandez, Municipal Mayor, Lezo, Aklan

17. Ms. Mabel U. Concepcion, Chairman, Organizing Committee, Medical-Dental Mission Southwestern Aklan (AMMS)

18. Provincial Government of Aklan

19. Family Federation for World Peace Philippines, National, Antipolo Chapter

20. Aklan Medical Society

21. Aklan Allied Health Group

22. Philippine Pharmacists Association

23. Kabalikat Civicom 417 Aklan Chapter

24. Numancia Parish Pastoral Council

25. Southwestern Aklan Interlocal Health Zone

26. Il Hwa Philippines (thru Mr. Boy Alberio)

27. True World Travel (thru Ms. Imelda Sayson)

28. Manila Central University College of Pharmacy thru Dean Maricon Boie; faculty, staff, students, who donated 550 pcs. noodles and 427 pcs. canned goods worth around P 7,000.00 and some used clothes

29. QX Pharma: Assorted medicine

30. Flor’s Vinyard, Inc.: Assorted medicines

31. Dr. Danilo Bumanlag: Assorted medicines

32. Medical Forum of Ambassadors for Peace: Assorted medicines

33. Sampaguita: Used clothing

34. CIG TV: Documentation

35. Ms. Maureen Marasigan: goods worth P 1,000.00

The AMMS Disaster Team who brought the humanitarian services to the people of Aklan was composed of the following:

The local volunteers from Aklan was composed of the following:

The volunteers from the Philippine Army was composed of the following:

In accordance to the DOH Guidelines set forth in conducting humanitarian medical-dental-surgical and laboratory services during Emergency Disaster Relief, official reports were duly submitted by the Asian Mobile Medical Service to the following government officials:

1. Dr. Lydia Depra Ramos – Regional Director, Department of Health – CHD for Western Visayas

2. Honorable Carlito S. Marquez - Governor of Aklan

3. Honorable Ramon S. Legaspi, Jr. - Mayor of Makato, Aklan,; Chairman, Southwestern Aklan Interlocal Health Zone

Prepared by:

ROLAND P. ALCAYAGA, RMT
Secretary General
AMMS Philippines

Noted by:

DR. PRIMITIVO D. CHUA, M.D., Ed.D.
President, UPF Philippines
President AMMS Philippines