Catigbian, Bohol - Vaccines for the Philippines, a foundation based in Utah conducted a medical mission that offered free medical, dental, Operation Tuli with free medicines and haircut services to the residents of barangays Maitum, Liboron and Cang-iras. The activity was supported and coordinated by LGU-Catigbian, 802nd Infantry Battalion based in Katipunan, Carmen and 2nd Special Forces based in Riverside, Bilar. It was part of the projects and programs of the this year's foundation event..
Peter Thomas Reichman, president and founder of the medical mission explained that the foundation started by giving simple sanitation kit and used clothing to identified beneficiaries but now it already extended medical missions, built restrooms, improved identified provincial government-owned hospitals including Catigbian District Hospital. This year it pioneered the construction of a descent home for the less fortunate brothers and tree planting in selected areas in the province.
"We have chosen Catigbian particularly Maitum through the help of the Provincial Government, whom we are closely working with since the first year of the foundation's charitable work in Bohol way back 2005", Reichman said.
Barangay Captain Jun Tupas of Maitum was very grateful to the foundation and to the government military men of the assistance that created comfort and convenience to his barangay folks and lessen the economic burden nowadays as experienced by majority of his people.
Vice-Mayor Necie Digaum, the acting mayor said, "Catigbian is so lucky to have this foundation and government troops. The local government under the leadership of Mayor BertSal supports this kind of initiative that looks into the welfare of our people, the same vision and goal the local leaders have in hand".
According to Reichman, "this year there are 30 volunteer workers mostly students who will stay until August 11, 2008. Next year, more volunteers are coming to help in the construction of descent homes for 10-20 less fortunate brothers in the province. We constructed 5 houses this year which were distributed in Barangay San Jose, Batuan, sitio Cansinge and sitio Cambanoy in Maitum".
Lt. Col. Dionesio Miguel, executive officer of the 802nd Infantry Brigade in Carmen and Lt. Col. Alfredo Sanchez, battalion commander of the 2nd Special Forces in Bilar echoed their support to the project during a short program that closed the activity. Two military detachments- Mahayag Norte and Mantacida are stationed in this town with the primary purpose of supporting the government's effort in maintaining peace and order in the developing town of Catigbian.(ARE) - Sunday Post