Camp Aquino, Tarlac City-  Residents of Barangay Balanti, Tarlac City were overwhelmed with the concerted efforts of well-meaning groups to deliver basic services in the form of free medical and dental check-up/treatment, haircut services, supplementary feeding program and hygiene kit distribution at Balanti Elementary School on Wednesday.

Doctors, nurses, dentists and support personnel from the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM),  Tarlac Provincial Civil Affairs Unit (PCAU) with reservists from the AFP Reserve Command, 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion,

Tactical Operations Group-3 did another “bayanihan”- literally a “shoulder to shoulder” act aptly describing Filipino trait of helping one another, according to NOLCOM spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Rosendo Armas.

Four hundred residents benefited from the free medical and dental check-up/treatment,  80 had their hair cut also free of charge while about 300 received toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap and other hygiene items courtesy of  Hacienda Luisita. The project proponents also conducted supplemental feeding program.

Prominent personalities such as Congresswoman Susan Yap and  Governor Vic Yap were present during the activity as well as the Commander of NOLCOM Lieutenant General Gaudencio Pangilinan who wants the “bayanihan patrol” sustained not only in Tarlac but also in other areas where basic services remained inadequate.  The general was joined by Colonel Gerard Velez,  Chief of Unified Command Staff who used to head the Civil-Military Operations division of NOLCOM and his successor Colonel Pedro Sumayo Jr.

The first bayanihan patrol spearheaded by Tarlac PCAU headed by Captain Enrico Talon, a Navy reservist was held in Barangay Sta. Maria, Tarlac City last March 19 where recorded beneficiaries totaled 500.

Barangay Captain Pacifico Bautista thanked the people behind this activity particularly NOLCOM for enabling his constituents  to experience the fruits of “bayanihan” first hand.  The principal of Balanti Elementary School Mr. Pedro Gabriel was also very appreciative of their efforts. 

The AFP’s Internal Peace and Security Plan (IPSP) otherwise known as “Bayanihan” takes cognizance of the role played by all sectors in “winning the peace”.  The bayanihan teams conducting bayanihan patrols in target barangays are there to assist the local government unit and agencies.  Their goal is to cultivate synergy from the stakeholders’ network for the benefit of the communities.