RP pays it forward to Haiti with medical teams

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas

MALAY, Aklan, Philippines—Citing the country's own disasters and the outpouring of international assistance when a series of calamities ravaged the country, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday said the Philippines would be sending aid to earthquake-devastated Haiti to help hundreds of thousands of victims.

"I had instructed the (Department of Health) to send medical teams to Haiti to help the earthquake victims there. And I instructed the (Armed Forces) to put our reserve peacekeeping company on standby in case the US asks for additional troops," the President said in a speech during the launching of the P2.5-billion Caticlan Airport Development Project here.

"Why? Because we are more than ready to give a helping hand as we were victims ourselves (tropical storm) ‘Ondoy,’ and (typhoons) ‘Pepeng’ and ‘Frank’ a few months ago and a year ago," she said.

"We have also been a recipient of international assistance. Now it is our turn to do that," she added.

She said that in past, the country's worst typhoons—including Reming, Ondoy and Pepeng—claimed almost a thousand lives each but in the earthquake in Haiti, at least 100,000 were casualties.

"If we suffered that way we can imagine their suffering a hundred times," Ms Arroyo said.

She said Haiti is "especially close to our hearts" because of the Filipino peacekeeping troops "who are doing a good job there and who have once again risen to the occasion as they (done) here in the Philippines each time."

The peacekeeping troops would be given medals when they return from duty, Arroyo said.

The President recalled the devastation wrought by Typhoon Frank in 2007, which ravaged Western Visayas, especially Aklan.

"Not so long ago, it was like Armageddon hit the province of Aklan. Kalibo was the worst-hit urban area in the whole impact area of typhoon Frank but now everything is back to normal," Arroyo said.

She said she was happy that Aklan has turned around from the devastation of Frank as symbolized by the new airport project.

"We are here very grateful to the Lord for our recovedry from our own calamities of nature," she said.

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I love the principle of "paying it forward."
Doing this principle will make the world a better place whether there is or no crisis.