SP Thanks USNS Mercy Team

Lingayen- – -The provincial government through an approved resolution by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) expressed its profoundest gratitude and appreciation to the USNS Mercy,transnational contingent of medical professionals on board the U.S. Naval Hospital Ship, for concluding its humanitarian mission to the Philippines with a three-day stay in Pangasinan from August 10-12.

Provincial Resolution No. 1513-2015, which was approved last August 17, stated that the province recognizes the immeasurable contributions of the USNS Team in the conduct of worthwhile activities in Pangasinan such as Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief; Public Health Diseases Symposium focused on various diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy, leptospirosis and dengue; Environmental Sanitation engagement site inspection among identifies business establishments; Mobile Blood Donation activity; TB Suyod; preparation for cleft-palate surgesy; Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Demonstration and Rapid Rabies Detection Test’ Demonstration of Chemical Castration in Dogs with zeuterin; and a two-day Basic Life Support Training at Subic bay where PHP medical and hospital EMTs participated.

As stated in the resolution, the provincial government recognizes the selfless efforts of the USNS Mercy Team in promoting the well-being of Pangasinenses.

Meanwhile, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. earlier expressed optimism that the holding of the outreach work headed by Capt. Brian Delamont, mission deputy commander, has served as the beginning of a more lasting partnership between the province and the participating groups in the Pacific Partnership.

The governor said Pangasinan is grateful for the spirit of volunteerism accorded by the USNS team as he added that the sharing of expertise and services done by the group goes beyond partnership.

The Pangasinan sojourn was the fourth-leg of their mission to the country which included similar outreach efforts in Subic, Zambales, Roxas City in Capiz and Metro-Manila.

Officially known as the US Pacific Partnership, the contingent was first deployed in response to one of the world’s most catastrophic natural disasters, the December 2004 tsunami that devastated parts of Southeast Asia, killing tens of thousands of people. (Ruby R. Bernardino)