Malay, Aklan (16 January) — PGMA has announced that the Philippines will be sending a medical team to Haiti. The the Department of Health (DOH) has been directed to form the team that will be sent to help the on-going rescue and relief operations.
President Arroyo made the announcement during the launching and capsule laying ceremonies of the Caticlan Airport Development Project last January 15.
She also told the AFP to put its reserve peace keeping company on standby for possible request of the United Nations (UN) for additional troops.
“We’ve been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to do that,” the President said referring to the aids offered by international donors in the aftermath of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng last year.
The President also conveyed in a letter the country’s condolences and assurance of support to Haiti President Rene Garcia Preval’s government and people.
Concerned agencies like the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) are closely monitoring the progress of the operation as some Filipino peacekeepers remain trapped in one of the collapsed buildings in Haiti’s city of Port-au-Prince.