Photo: Balikatan Brings Medical Care To Remote Village

April 22, 2009

An expectant mother receives medications from Philippine Army medical personnel at a Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) on April 18 in Barangay Limpapa, Zamboanga City. The program is one of many being conducted under the banner of Exercise Balikatan 2009, an annual bilateral training event between the Philippines and United States. In the exercise’s shoulder-to-shoulder spirit, nearly 70 medical workers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines, and Philippine civic health organizations aided more than 1,800 citizens in the isolated Barangay. “I’m very happy about the MEDCAP,” said Barangay Chairman Antonio Lacaser. “We are thankful for the support of the Balikatan exercise.” The Barangay was chosen because of its remoteness and its lack of regular access to medical care. (Official U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Lara R. Bollinger)