CAMP Aguinaldo, Quezon City—The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Mindanao Humanitarian Volunteers for Peace Inc., (MHVP) formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement an ongoing partnership that delivers services in remote and conflict-affected communities in the country.
The agreement was signed on Monday, October 3, at the AFP General Headquarters by The Deputy Chief of Staff, AFP VAdm Rommel Anthony SD Reyes on behalf of the AFP Chief of Staff, and MHVP President Dr. Maria Theresa Heyrosa.
MHVP in coordination with the AFP's Mindanao-based units has conducted medical and humanitarian missions in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities.
Some of the areas they served in the past include the municipalities of Indanan, Luuk, Omar, Kalingalang Caluang, Panamao, Banguingui, Pata, Siasi in Sulu Province; Languyan, Sapa-Sapa Island, and South Ubian in Tawi-Tawi; island municipalities in Basilan; San Fernando in Bukidnon; and Paquibato District in Davao City.
The agreement further strengthened both parties' cooperation in bringing services to the people. Through its various units, the AFP will extend to MHVP security and transportation assistance, subject to the availability of these resources as determined by units on the ground.
The AFP will also help identify areas where medical and humanitarian services will be conducted in coordination with MHVP and local government units.
In his speech delivered by TDCSAFP, AFP Chief of Staff LtGen Bartolome Vicente Bacarro expressed his gratitude to the MHVP for their “genuine heart for public service and burning spirit of patriotism.”
“As the AFP Chief of Staff, I would like to reaffirm our commitment that we shall maximize our resources and capabilities to strengthen our partnership with stakeholders, intensify our civil-military efforts to deliver more responsive and relevant community support programs, and continuously partake in the peace-building and national development agenda of our national government,” LtGen Bacarro said.///
(Photo by TSg Obinque/PAO, AFP)
