Team NAVFORWEM reaches out to the community of Manalipa Island, Zamboanga City

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (May 9, 2018) - Naval Forces Western Mindanao in collaboration with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Manalipa Island, Zamboanga City and local stakeholders conducted an All-In-One Mission at Manalipa Island, Zamboanga City on Saturday (May 5, 2018), military official said.

Team NAVFORWEM headed by the Commander, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Rear Adm. Rene V Medina AFP along with the Medical and Dental Team of AFP Health Service South,Naval Station Romulo Espaldon, Civil Military Operations Unit-Western Mindanao (CMOU-WM), Naval Reserve Center-Western Mindanao (NRCen-WM), Combat Service Support Brigade (CSSBde) and Marine Battalion Landing Team 11 (MBLT11) were welcomed by Hon. Abubakar Hakim, the Barangay Chairman of Manalipa Island duringthe conduct of All-In-One Mission to the said populace.

The CMO initiatives is in support to Higher Headquarters’ development support and security plan “KAPAYAPAAN 2017-2022” promoting peace, ensuring security, helping maintain public order and supporting the overall development initiatives of the government. The conduct of the community outreach was made possible by the following partner-stakeholders of NFWM; Dra. Dreiza Hakim-Castillo, YL Fishing Company, Ateneo De Zamboanga University Team Handog Agila, Crystal Vision, ARCA Manpower Services, Mega Global Inc., with E-Media and UNTV News and Rescue.

Further, the services offered during the Mission were:

·         Medical Consultation to 210 beneficiaries

·         Dental Tooth Extraction to 36 patients

·         Eye Check-up and Eye Glasses Distribution to 97 individuals

·         Free Haircut to 30 individuals

·         Feeding Program to 200 children

·         Film Showing for 250 individuals

·         Livelihood Program (Fish ball Making) to 150 individuals

·         Distribution of Sardines and used clothing to 500 families

·         Operation Tuli to 50 youth/children

·         Fun Games to 250 children

Community Dialogue to the local populace of Manalipa Island

The visit of Team NAVFORWEM in Manalipa Island resolves some issues and health concerns of the citizens and serves as an assurance that the Navy is always ready to assist and provide necessary services despite the threat in the Western Mindanao region. These engagements are part of the command’s contribution to the month long celebration of the 120thAnniversary of the Philippine Navy. Further, these advocacies are also concurrent with the stand of the Philippine Navy to sustain and strengthen its maritime patrol to protect and secure the Philippine waters.