PCSO, AFP ink MOA on aid for wounded troops

FILE: The MOA was signed by PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan and AFP Vice Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. (Photo: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office)

MANILA— In line with efforts to treat and rehabilitate soldiers wounded in the battlefield, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) regarding the provision of financial assistance to selected military treatment facilities Monday.

The MOA was signed by PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan and AFP Vice Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Salvador Mison in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Balutan, a retired Marine major general, said the money would be used to acquire modern medical equipment for use of AFP hospitals near the frontlines in Mindanao.

“So inuuna natin yun dahil yung immediate medical care ng ating mga kasundaluhan, lalong-lalo na yung nakikipaglaban dun sa Mindanao area na nahihirapan sila kasi nga kulang yung mga facilities and equipment ng ating Armed Forces dun sa mga lugar na yun,” he added.

Once these equipment are acquired and installed, these hospitals will be able to stabilize critically wounded troops and improve their survival before flying them to Manila for additional treatment.

“Bago (ipadala) dito sa Manila for a higher medical care, eh ini-stable muna dun. Ang maganda nga sana kung ang hospital natin dun ay equipped na kaagad, state-of-the-art na gagamutin, dun na magpagaling at makabalik kaagad dun sa frontline ulit, yung mga kasundaluhan natin,” the PCSO chief added.