15 December 2011 PRESS RELEASE More than 1000 benefit from social/health services, gift giving More than

a thousand beneficiaries benefit from the delivery of social and health services and gift giving of the convergence of efforts of the Davao del Norte provincial government, military, and Philippine National Police at Barangay Mamangan, San Isidro, Davao del Norte on Dec. 15, 2011 at Brgy. Mamangan, San Isidro, Davao del Norte. Hon. Rodolfo P. Del Rosario, Davao del Norte Governor, spearheaded the event with Vice Governor Victorio Suaybaguio and flanked by the full force of the heads of offices of the provincial, . This convergence of efforts among partners in the gift giving and delivery of social and health services has one goal: to concretize the message that all our efforts are geared for peace and development of the people whom we serve, said Col. Lysander A. Suerte, 1003rd Infantry Brigade Commander. The delivery of health services spearheaded by Dr. Agapito Hornido, Provincial Health Officer of Davao del Norte, include the following: free medical check-up - 200; dental services-50; malaria check-up 22; distribution of medicines - 200; circumcision/minor surgery - 20; pre-natal check-up 10; blood typing -19; urinalysis19; hemoglobin test 19; vaccination 25; distribution of 155 toilet bowls; and distribution of toothbrush/toothpaste for the kids -250. The San Isidro Municipal Health Office, the barangay health workers together with the military dental team combined efforts to cater to the delivery of health services. The Provincial Social and Welfare Office of Davao del Norte spearheaded the distribution of 250 slippers and feeding program for the kids. The military, together with the municipal /barangay social workers and the police assisted in the preparation of the porridge and its distribution to 400 persons. 130 persons benefitted from the free haircut and 150 persons benefited from distribution of used clothing.

96 persons benefitted from the distribution of three types of vegetable seeds from the Provincial Agricultural Office while 63 animals of the residents were administered with multivitamins by the Provincial Veterinarian Office. Fifty persons benefitted from gifts that were raffled among the residents who took part of the event while three hundred received ice cream from the 1003rd Infantry Brigade. Dubbed as the Convergence Team, the group comprises the Davao del Norte Provincial Government, municipal and barangay beneficiaries, the military: 1003rd Infantry Brigade and 60th Infantry Battalion, and the Davao del Norte Philippine National Police. Ltc. Greg T. Almerol, commanding officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion, mobilized his troops in securing and preparing the venue. We are in full support to the thrusts of the local government for peace and development, said Ltc. Almerol. This is the 8th event of the series of convergence of efforts in the delivery of services which was launched at Brgy. Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte last August 11 of this year. The following were the succeeding beneficiaries: Barangay New Cortez of New Corella on August 26, Brgy. Binancian of Asuncion on Sept. 11, Sitio Cabadianan, Sto. Nino in Talaingod on Sept. 23, Brgy. Datu Balong of San Isidro on Oct. 7, Brgy. Patroceno of New Corella on Oct. 21, Sitio Igang of Talaingod on Nov. 18, and the most recent in Brgy. Mamangan, San Isidro all of Davao del Norte. The convergence of efforts was an offshoot of the meeting of the minds during one of the Provincial Peace and Order Council meetings mid this year. Hon. Rodolfo P Del Rosario declared that combined efforts among partners shall be implemented among the communities, hence the birth of the Convergence for Initiatives on Peace and Development.

-30Contact: CPT RICKY G MERCADO (SC) PA 1003rd Brigade Acting CMO Officer Contact Nr: 09176334235 E-mail add: cmo_raptor@yahoo.com