IN a continuing effort to serve underprivileged areas in Southern Philippines, the Lingkod Timog Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine Marine Corps Foundation Inc. (PMCFI), successfully completed a two-day Medical Civic Action Program (MEDCAP) in Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga City on March 1 and 2, 2025.
The first day of the mission was held in Barangay Lintangan, Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte, led by Lt. Col. Romulo G. Dimayuga II and the Marine Battalion Landing Team-6. Lingkod Timog provided over 1,900 vital services to the Subanen residents. The community, though remote but progressing, still lacks adequate access to healthcare.
The second day took place in Barangay Tolosa, Zamboanga City, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Nepthalie Papa and the Marine Battalion Landing Team-1. Over 2,000 residents benefited from a staggering 9,072 services, ranging from blood pressure monitoring to eye consultations and dental prophylaxis and extractions.
This large-scale mission was a collaborative effort between public and private sector organizations. LIngkod Timog and MBLT-6 thank the volunteers and sponsors, including the local government of the Municipality of Sibuco and Barangay Lintangan, M. Abubakar Construction and Engineering, Inc., Singleton Club, Mindanao Central Sanitarium, S7S Agency, Estrella Foundation Inc., Singleton Cares, TLNOTF Inc., Zamboanga Emergencia Responde Operativo, JA Petrol Gas Station, Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle, Edwin Andrews Air Base Hospital, Service Support Battalion of the Philippine Marine Corps, I Can Therapy Center, Kiwanis International, Go Share, Klasrums ng Pag-asa, McDonald’s, and the Camp Navarro General Hospital.
Lingkod Timog and MBLT-1 also thank the local government of Brgy. Tolosa, MBLT-6, Universidad de Zamboanga College of Dentistry, Marine Special Operations Company Philippines, Kiwanis Club of Zamboanga Latin City, Venus Salon and Barbershop, Klasrums ng Pag-asa, Kaakibat Civicom International Inc., Camp Navarro General Hospital, Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Company, Century Pacific Group-RSPo Foundation Inc., Civil Aviation Authority Philippines, McDonalds Philippines Inc., Jollibee Food Corp., and the 3 Musketeers.
As a personal note, I began participating in Lingkod Timog missions a few years ago, and I have joined the foundation in its missions in Tawi-Tawi and Palawan. Many of my fellow Lingkod Timog volunteers include retired AFP officials, their families, and medical practitioners from the U.S. My primary role this year involved organizing book donations, reading, and storytelling sessions. Thanks to my Rotary Club of Makati Ayala Triangle, especially District 3830 Governor Prescy Yulo, for donating 300 books.
Excitingly, U.S. Marine Corps special operatives, led by Captain Kaye, joined us in the storytelling activity, captivating the children with their animated storytelling. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the 2026 Lingkod Timog mission as we continue our outreach to the most remote islands in Southern Philippines.
