Lingkod Timog
The miracle of life is this - the more we share, the more we have.
Reconnecting Mindanao and the Global Pinoy Posted on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 and is filed under Photo Gallery. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Lingkod Timog volunteers from Rhode Island USA together with Philippine Marine Commandant Gen. Juancho Sabban and wife Irene pay a courtesy call on Mayor Celso Lobregat Monday, as they prepare for the conduct of a two-day medical-dental-surgical mission in depressed communities in the city 23 and 24 February in line with the Dia de Zamboanga celebration. JOEY BAUTISTA By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden LAMITAN, Philippines, March 1, 2010 – A medical outreach event here Feb. 25 showed the resolve not only of the Philippine armed forces, but also of the international community, to spread good will to the southern Philippines. Philippine Marine Battalion Landing Team 1 coordinated the efforts with the local government, Philippine military doctors, U.S. forces and even a nonprofit charity from the United States. Ultimately, safety and security for the people is the most important aspect of the Philippine military mission. Events such as this, Pama said, give the people more than just money and temporary support. People get services they need without having to risk their lives or becoming indebted to criminals and terrorists. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Feb. 23, 2009) – Hundreds of Muslim villagers have benefited from a medical outreach mission in Zamboanga City in Mindanao. Six months later, I found myself in a small village outside the city of Zamboanga, Philippines, along with 20 members of Lingkod Timog, a smattering of local physicians, nurses, nursing students, and a couple doctors from the American and Filipino armed forces who were stationed nearby. With logistical support (trucks, manpower, security) provided by the Philippine Marines, we improvised a medical clinic in the local community center, a shaky "multipurpose" building on stilts over the ocean. Hundreds of patients had lined up for free examinations, minor surgeries, and dental extractions. My "office" consisted of a table, a few chairs, and my black bag. I remember seeing an elderly woman who complained of new onset headache, fatigue, and diffuse aches and pains. On examination, her temporal arteries were tender and rock hard. We sent her for a sedimentation rate at the local hospital, and sure enough, it was significantly elevated. She received a course of prednisone for her temporal arteries and did well. It was gratifying that I was able to use my skills to diagnose and treat this woman who otherwise might have lost her vision or had a stroke. While medical missions are not the optimal solution to providing medical care, helping even one patient makes a difference. ZAMBOANGA CITY, Nov 2 (PNA) -– A total of 800 people benefited from the joint medical, dental, engineering and civic action program on Monday in the town of Lugus, Sulu, south of this city. The activity was initiated by the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6 headed by Lt. Col. Jimmy Larida in coordination with the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO). Larida said the patients received free health services that include medical consultation, dental services, circumcision, pediatrics and cyst operation. Free haircut was given and parlor games were also held for the children, Larida said. He noted that a deep well project was also implemented in the town proper of Lugus, a 5th class municipality comprising of 17 villages and with a population of 18,839 based on the 2000 census. Mayor Abdulsali Asmadon expressed his gratitude to the military's initiative with the local health representatives in carrying out the said services. Col. Eugenio Clemen, chief of the 3rd Marine Brigade has expressed his gratitude for warm reception and active participation of the residents during the one-day activity. "We are grateful towards the warm acceptance by the peace loving people of Lugus, which is encouraging for us to move forward and do more to be of service with higher moral," Clemen said. Vice Governor Lady Ann Sahidulla and the governor's wife, Nurunisah Tan, led the distribution of rice, arm chairs for the children and wheelchairs for the elderly. Sahidulla acknowledged the military's great contribution not only in security concerns, but also in health efforts, stressing on the significant presence of military health personnel working in unity with civilian doctors and nurses. The vice governor also entertained the residents with Tausug songs she originally composed.
The
PhilSouth Angle
Lingkod Timog flies from Rhode to Zambo
United States Department of Defense NewsAmerican Forces Press Service
Philippine Armed Forces Spread Good Will
American Forces Press Service
Volunteers provided supplies and services and were able to offer dental care, some minor surgeries, medicines and consultations. U.S. forces also donated several wheelchairs to those in need.
“[Philippine forces] recognize the need people have for these services and are very proactive in planning these types of events,” said Army Capt. Bill Adams, a civil affairs officer with Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines here. “They do a tremendous job, and their efforts have been very good.”
Hundreds turned out to take advantage of a variety of free medical care organized by the armed forces of the Philippines. Women, children and the elderly gathered patiently outside of the bamboo-and-straw medical stations. They waited happily for care, because this was the first chance in some time for many of them to see a doctor.
As is the case in much of the region, events such as these give residents opportunities they may not otherwise have to seek treatment, several Philippine troops at the event said.
Adams, who’s been deployed here since November, said these types of outreach events are a great way for the troops to show they care as well as relate to the people.
“These troops put themselves out there, even in places where they don’t feel safe,” he said, “and the people see that.”
Philippine navy Rear Adm. Alexander Pama agreed with Adams, and expressed how meaningful it is for Philippine troops to serve their countrymen. His troops also are pleased with their American partners and their efforts, he added.
“Volunteers, doctors, nurses, supplies -- all of this comes from donations from kind-hearted people in both the Philippines and the United States,” said Pama, commander of naval forces in western Mindanao. “It definitely means a lot not only to the people who we serve, but for us who serve the people.”
Pama praised the American military and civilian efforts in this event, noting support from the Lingkod Timog nonprofit group based out of Rhode Island. The group is made up of Filipino-Americans working to reverse poverty and improve health services in the Philippines. They work regularly with both militaries to reach out to areas in need.
“It’s quite fortunate that we have the partners that we do,” he said. “Groups coming all the way from the United States, [U.S. troops]; it’s basically a synergy of everybody to reach out to these people, help them out so they don’t feel so marginalized in society. It’s not just the guys in uniform who are here. It’s an extension of American society and their support for the people here.”
A little good will goes a long way to improving security and bridging the gap between government and the local communities, Pama said. He explained that terrorists take advantage of impoverished areas by providing the poor with money and food in return for their support and, often, their service.
“Building strong bonds and relationships in the communities is a very important aspect to our security efforts,” he said. “We all know bad guys thrive on the poor, and in the classic sense of counterinsurgency, the bad guys drain the pan.
“We want to come across to the people that we are the good guys,” he continued, “and we need to pull the support away from the bad guys and let the people know that the government is after the people’s welfare.”
“The happiness of the people is not very complicated,” he said. “They need their basic services, and they need security. Events like this are going to be ingrained in their minds forever, that the good guys -- the military, the volunteers and the American military -- came here to help.”
Mercy mission benefits Muslim villagers in Zamboanga City
Monday, February 23, 2009 09:20:24 AM
The humanitarian mission, spearheaded by the Lingkod Timog-U.S. Task Force Sulu, a group of doctors from Rhode Island in the United States, in the Muslim enclave of Taluksangay and in Sangali village.
Most of the patients were Badjao and Samal villagers.
The mercy mission held at the weekend coincided with the 5th National Dental Health Month and was also supported by the Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Western Mindanao Command, Philippine National Police Regional Services 9, Zamboanga City Health Office, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Marine Forces South, Task Force Comet, Joint Special Operation Task Force- Philippines, among others.
The villagers were also given toothbrush, toothpaste, bags and slippers. (Michelle Angela Araneta)
MEDICAL ECONOMICS
The physician's guide to medical volunteering
Publish date: Jan 23, 2009
Morgan Lewis Jr.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT:
Andrew Wilner, MD
At a backyard barbecue on July 4, 2007, I met Doy Heredia, who invited me to join his Filipino-American medical mission group, Lingkod Timog ("Service to the South"). I wasn't sure what I could contribute, but it sounded like an adventure.
POSITIVE NEWS MEDIA, PHILIPPINES
Nov. 2, 2008
800 people benefit from civic action program in Sulu
|
PHILIPPINE NEWS, MARCH 19, 2008
Across
RI-based group provides medical service to ‘lumad’
Published: March 19, 2008
A Rhode Island-based humanitarian group recently completed its 4th annual medical mission in the
More than 400 tribal people, called “lumads” or people of the earth, many in their highly colorful highland costume, were treated in the eastern part of
The group President
Cecilia is a music teacher at
He said: “We had U.S. and Philippine-based volunteers, nursing students, surgeons from local hospitals, Philippine military and police doctors and dentists, and U.S. military surgeons and nurses all working together. It was magnificent how we all blended together.”
Retiree
Lingkod Timog spokesperson
Navy League National Director and retired USN senior chief Tony Cercena said all volunteers were enthusiastic. “We expect
ZAMBOANGA TODAY ONLINE Lingkod Timog holds 4th med mission in Zambo, Basilan US-based Filipinos called the Lingkod Timog group have scheduled a three-day medical outreach mission in Zamboanga and Basilan starting today, Feb. 25-27.
Posted by Riza Lacbao in Other Stories
Monday, February 25. 2008
The medical mission, held in coordination with local agencies is now on its fourth year and is focused on marginalized sectors specifically the badjao tribes.
The barangays of Maasin and Sangali in this city and Barangay Bato in
The Badjao resettlement area in Daap, Sangali will be the venue of the mission tomorrow, Feb. 26 while the Lamitan schedule will be on Wednesday, February 27.
The Lingkod Timog Group members who are in the city to supervise the three-day mission are
The outreach mission is being held in coordination with the City Health Office, Western Mindanao Command, Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF), Task Force Thunder, 1st Marine Brigade, Marine Battalion Landing Team-7, Marine Forces South, Task Force Zamboanga, 3 P Foundation, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, Zamboanga City Medical Center, Mayor Celso Lobregat, District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco and District II Cong. Erbie Fabian.
Prior to the mission in Zamboanga, the Lingkod Timog also held a similar activity in
The primordial concern of the US-based group is to help alleviate plight of the less fortunate sector through free health services.
The Lingkod Timog, then together with the Hope Foundation, another civic group based in
Sabban together with her husband, Task Force Thunder Chief MGen.
Friday, February 22, 2008
US-based group to conduct medical mission in Salumay
A VOLUNTEER group from the
The Medi Lingkod Timog Program, led by Jessica Bariquatro and Andrew Wellner of Newport, Rhode island, paid a courtesy call on the City' Mayor's Office Thursday and were received by City legal Officer J. Melchor Quitain in behalf of the city mayor.
Post here your Valentine's Day greetings
The group has been delivering aid to indigenous peoples in different areas around the globe for four years now.
Funding for these missions is raised through donations, concerts, and activities conducted by non-government institutions and medical foundations in the
Aside from basic medical services, the group will also be distributing commonly used medicines and vitamins.
After their medical mission in the city, the Medi Lingkod Timog team is headed for Zamboanga for more medical missions.
Before
ZAMBOANGA TODAY ONLINE Lingkod Timog hails Celso
Posted by Jigs Nep in Other Stories
Sunday, May 20. 2007
Lingkod Timog, a US-based group of Samaritans, has acknowledged the support and assistance provided by the city government of Zamboanga under Mayor Celso Lobregat for the successful humanitarian mission it conducted in Badjao communities in the city last January.
The combined medical mission in the city last January 17-18 in barangays Maasin and Sangali, was the third of a series conducted by the group which is composed of Filipino professionals and retirees based in Rhode Island, USA.
“Lingkod Timog cannot say enough thank you for your wholehearted support in our combined medical mission,” Lingkod Timog president
For the last three years, the Lingkod Timog has been assisting Badjao communities in the city. The assistance includes medical, surgery, dental services and nursing care.
The January 2007 mission served about 1, 300 Badjao people. In previous years, the same number of people in badjao communities was also treated for various medical, surgical and dental ailments, according to Heredia.
The Lingkod Timog is represented in Zamboanga by Irene Covarrubias-Sabban who is the group’s Executive Director for Philippine Projects.
Sabban and husband BGen.
PHILIPPINE NEWS, JAN 31, 2007
Lingkod Timog reaches out to
Karla Vizcarra, Jan 31, 2007
MANILA – Some things come together so seamlessly as if by divine help. What else would you call the desire of two naval officers to change the military’s image, a calling felt by their wives, and the grateful cooperation of a whole community that just needed that little push?
When he met retired Philippine Navy captain and Naffaa executive director Armando “Doy” Heredia, Philippine Army Gen.
Cely Heredia, Doy’s wife and president of Lingkod Timog, shared, “If these people need to go to the hospital, the receiving nurses will not even look at them. They could die right there.”
The seafaring Badjaos, discriminated against even by their fellow Muslims, are the most marginalized tribes in
In 2005, the first medical mission for Badjaos was done. The tangible and emotional success it brought marked the beginning of a deeper commitment in everyone— growing eventually into a
The little team decided to commit themselves to this corner of the
“The others are always big affairs. Here we want to stay where the bulk of the problems are. Right now it’s in
The Heredias and only a small group of members from the U.S. fly out for the mission every year— last week they were joined by neurologist
“Much of the work we do is in the end, developmental. We generate the resources, we mobilize the community and create a sense of enthusiasm and cooperation…which we hope later on will be carried out even without the
The group also brings in medicine—donated by major Philippine pharmaceuticals, from the Joint Special Task Force
“We are always limited by supplies and time,” Doy explained. “It is hard to ask for grants from the
Cely continued, “We’re so blessed to be living in
Lingkod Timog raises funds through activities, like last October’s Broadway and classical concert that ballooned into an all-out musical extravaganza, thanks to friends and chances that just fell into place. Cely even found herself playing the piano and the organ, being once a music teacher at
“You use whatever you have — I use my Philippine military connections, Cely uses her professional school and music connections, our friends use their connections — you really cannot do everything by yourself.” Doy went on. “And you find out that there are really a lot of good Filipinos and Americans in the
Because travel advisories to Zamboanga have been less than encouraging, Lingkod Timog finds it difficult to get more FilAm volunteers to actually come to the missions. But the group is bent on reaching even high-risk areas like Jolo and Basilan soon, given proper time and resource. They are confident, after all, of their
“The FilAm community should know that the
Likewise the Philippine Marines and Navy. “They really love doing this,” Cely revealed. “Deep in their hearts they want to help. They don’t want to be known only as military men.”
She told the story of a young woman who, during one of their missions, suddenly became emotional and thanked their group with tears in her eyes, saying nobody had ever done that [medical mission] to them before. A Marine who was with the group turned to the woman and very sincerely said, “Alam mo, mahal namin kayo. Dapat nagmamahalan tayo, kaya naming ginagawa ‘to. [We love you. We should all love each other. That’s why we’re doing this.]”
And that, ultimately, is what makes everything worth it.
(Lingkod Timog also does outreach programs for the people of Bagong Silangan, Payatas. Visit their website at http://lingkodtimog.com/ to find out how you can be part of the community.)
Humanitarian mission benefits 2,000 villagers TO SEND DONATIONS OR SPEAK WITH A REPRESENTATIVE: Email: info@lingkodtimog.org
ZAMBOANGA TODAY ONLINE
Posted by Jigs Nep in Top Headlines
Tuesday, January 10. 2006
Close to 2, 000 residents from Arena Blanco and the nearby Muslim communities benefited from the day long combined humanitarian mission of the HOPE Foundation International and Lingkod Timog, both
The mission, which is the second in two years, involved medical, dental and surgical services.
The mission had the all out support from the city government, Armed Forces of the
Most prevalent cases brought to the attention of the Lingkod Timog and Hope during the Arena Blanco mission were upper respiratory diseases, skin problems, dental care problems, hypertension and minor surgical requests for cysts, according to Heredia.
Most of those who availed of the mission were Badjao and Samal tribes from Arena Blanco and the neighboring areas.
Heredia said Lingkod Timog, a group which his wife Cely heads, is establishing a branch office in
Irene Covarrubias-Sabban, HOPE Foundation International coordinator and Lingkod Timog executive director will be in charge of the year round activities here.
The group is looking at the possibility of linking up with other NGOs so that it can best serve the Zamboanguenos, Heredia revealed.
Both HOPE, which stands for Health Organization for the Poor Enterprise and Lingkod Timog are based in
Lingkod Timog is led by Heredia’s wife, Cely.
Last year, a similar mission was rendered solely by the HOPE foundation in partnership with government and private organizations, also in Arena Blanco.
The Lingkod Timog-HOPE team sent to oversee the Arena Blanco mission is the Heredia couple, Gene Magwili and wife Emmy,
The mission in Zamboanga was made possible by Marine Col.
The mission yesterday was held in partnership with the JSOTF-P,
Among those who supported the mission were Mayor CElso Lobregt, Congressman Erbie Fabian, Vice Mayor Beng Climaco, Councilor Asbi Edding and Alan Villanueva. (Sheila E. Covarrubias
Contact Information
Address: 71 Miantonomi Ave., Middletown, Rhode Island
02842, USA
Thanks for your support!!
