AFP gets P102M from PCSO for medical equipment upgrade

President Rodrigo Duterte visits a wounded soldier at a military hospital. AFP FILE

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) donated P102 million for the upgrade of medical equipment in selected military facilities in Mindanao.

The memorandum of agreement on PCSO’s donation was signed on Monday at Camp Aguinaldo, the military’s main headquarters.

Present at the signing were PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan, Armed Forces of the Philippines vice chief Lt. Gen. Salvador Melchor Mison and PCSO Charity Department Manager Rubin Magno.

“Ito ay para sa immediate care ng kasundaluhan lalo na sa Mindanao area. Nahihirapan sila kasi kulang ang facilities ng Armed Forces,” Balutan told reporters.

He added that the assistance would be a big help to soldiers wounded in action who are later brought to Manila for further treatment.

“Bago dalhin sa Manila for higher medical care eh ini-i-stable muna dun. Ang maganda sana yung ospital eh equipped agad ng gagamitin at dun na magpagaling para makabalik agad sa frontlines,” he said.

Eight medical facilities have been chosen as beneficiaries.

Balutan said that the assistance was part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders to improve the healthcare of soldiers.

More facilities are expected to be given medical upgrade next year, as the PCSO plans to do the program annually.

“Next year may programa uli. We will ask them kung ano ang priority facilities na bibigyan nila ng program,” he said. /cbb