PGMA says RP to send medical team to Haiti

by A. Lumaque

Malay, Aklan (16 January) — President Gloria Macapagal–Arroyo announced that the Philippines will send a volunteer medical team to Haiti and directed the Department of Health (DOH) to form the team that will help in rescue and relief operations in the earthquake-hit nation.

President Arroyo made the announcement during the launching and capsule laying ceremonies of the P2.507-billion Caticlan Airport Development Project last Jan. 15 in Barangay Caticlan here.

She also instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to put its reserve peacekeeping company on standby in preparation for the possible request of the United Nations (UN) for additional troops.

“We’ve been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to do that,” the President said referring to the aids offered by international donors in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year.

The President also conveyed in a letter the country’s condolences and assurance of support to Haiti President Rene Garcia Preval’s government and people.

Concerned agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are closely monitoring the progress of the operation as some Filipino peacekeepers remain trapped in one of the collapsed buildings in Haiti’s city of Port-au-Prince.

The other Filipino peacekeepers serving in Haiti are safe and are involved in search and rescue operations for tens of thousands of people more missing.

The peacekeepers will be given medals and accorded proper recognition upon their return to the country, the President added.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake is estimated to have killed between 40,000 to 50,000 people including foreign nationals based on the International Committee of the Red Cross figures obtained from the Haiti government.

President Arroyo was in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan to launch the P2.507-billion Caticla airport development project and lead her “Common Tao Day” project for indigents supported with charity funds from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. (PIA)