During Exercise Balikatan 24, a joint exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military, Philippine and U.S. service members demonstrated their commitment to improving healthcare access and awareness in Ilocos Norte by providing medical and dental evaluations at Davila Elementary School in Pasuquin.
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriel Ramos, a dental technician with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, showcased oral hygiene techniques to Ilocos Norte children during a community health engagement held at Davila Elementary School on April 19, 2024. The three-day program aimed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences between the two military forces.
The community health engagement was just one of the activities conducted during this exercise, which not only benefited the children of Ilocos Norte but also helped to strengthen bonds between the two nations through shared experiences and cooperation in promoting overall health and well-being.
The collaboration between the two military forces highlights their ongoing commitment to working together effectively in various situations and promoting better healthcare practices among local populations around the world. By providing medical and dental care to Ilocos Norte residents, they were able to increase awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and improve healthcare access for those who may not have had it before.
Exercise Balikatan 24 is an annual exercise that brings together troops from both countries to train together and practice interoperability skills. Through this collaboration, both nations are able to build stronger relationships while also enhancing their readiness for future operations together.
Overall, this event serves as a reminder that even in times of conflict or tension between nations, there is still room for cooperation towards common goals such as improving healthcare access and promoting overall health and well-being for all individuals involved.
