AFP intensifies Covid-19 awareness in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY – The Armed Forces of the Philippines in Caraga Region has intensified its awareness campaign on 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) with a series of airdropping of leaflets in different parts of the region.

The awareness campaign was conducted by the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade (402Bde) in partnership with the Tactical Advance Command Post (TACP), Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 10 of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

In a statement Friday (May 1), Major Francisco Garello Jr., the civil-military operations (CMO) officer of 402Bde, said the Army and PAF airdropped around 10,000 leaflets and 200 face masks in the far-flung communities in Butuan City, Cabadbaran City and the towns of Kitcharao, Jabonga, and Tubay in Agusan del Norte.

A similar operation was also done in the towns of Alegria and Gigaquit in Surigao del Norte and in the municipality of Sibagat in Agusan del Sur, Garello added.

Brig. Gen. Maurito Licudine, 402Bde commander, said the airdropping operations were conducted last April 29 to fill in the difficulties faced by government front-liners, especially those tasked in information dissemination in reaching remote villages.

“The AFP has utilized its air assets as part of its commitment to support the Regional Task Force on Covid-19, One Caraga Shield as we saw the need to extend our reach to those who live in the far-flung areas because they are also vulnerable to the disease,” Licudine said.

The Army observed that residents in remote areas seem to underestimate the seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic, thinking that they are far from the town centers and urban areas, he added.

Leaflets dropped by soldiers in helicopters contained calls for residents to observe the protocols and health care management procedures issued by the Department of Health (DOH) and other vital information in preventing the spread of Covid-19, Licudine said.

“We urge all Caraganons to continue to stay at home and strictly follow protocols. Let’s continue to be more vigilant and cooperate with the government to fight this Covid-19 pandemic until a vaccine is discovered for its cure. Stay alive and keep safe,” he said. (PNA)

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