If you provide it, they will come

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines --  Operation Pacific Angel-Philippines, a joint and combined humanitarian mission, began Monday morning at 8 a.m providing medical care to the people of Albay.

And despite the rainy weather, patients came in droves to Tactical Operations Group 5.

"My heart goes out to these people who are waiting for their turn," said Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Augusto Vincent Gaite, TOG 5 commander. "We can't promise to see them, but they have opted to wait."

Some patients who are walk-ins have been on standby since Tuesday, said Gaite. They are allowed to return until they can be seen.

"Philippine health officials assisted with selecting patients who could not afford medical care, but needed it. These patients have appointments," said Philippine Army Col. Generoso Bolina, Armed Forces Philippines head planner for PACANGEL on the Philippines' side from Southern Luzon. "Health officials also arranged transportation for patients with appointments."

Medical care was also provided at a satellite site in Guinobatan March 5 to 6 and was moved to Sto. Domingo March 8. The operation is scheduled to run until March 10.

PACANGEL missions are in their fifth year and are led by 13th Air Force, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and supported by Pacific Command. In addition to medical care it provides engineering support and subject-matter expert exchanges.