Scout Rangers medical facility renovated
An archway inscribed with the words Commonwealth of the Philippines is a landmark for visitors when nearing the First Scout Rangers Regiment Headquarters inside Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan, where a newly renovated and refurbished military health facility was inaugurated and turned over by SM Foundation to the AFP.
The health facility is the First Scout Ranger Regiment medical and dental dispensary that occupies 223.09 square meters of the camp in a land donated by Pablo Ocampo Tecson, provincial governor from 1902-1906. The dispensary once served as barracks for the scout rangers or Musangs.
The renovation is a project of SM Foundation “to manifest SM’s appreciation to the AFP for their service in the defense and security of the country,” Connie Angeles, SM executive director for health & medical programs said.
She added that SM has been refurbishing and renovating military health facilities with the FSRR dispensary as the 22nd of such facilities. It is also the 127th FTS Wellness Center.
With the renovation, the dispensary now boasts of an observation room and patients’ ward, each with four new beds; dental room, operating room, emergency/treatment area, administration and commanding officer’s room. Each component of the dispensary are provided with new furniture and basic equipment.
Regiment Commander Col. Rene Glen Paje said aside from being the headquarters of the FSRR, Camp Tecson is also site of a training school where soldiers are given courses to become scout rangers. Population of the camp vary depending on the number of students. Around 600 soldier trainees participate in three classes held every year.
This makes the dispensary very vital in the camp. Soldier trainees who suffer injuries while on training are given first aid in the dispensary. Headed by regimental surgeon Dr. Cesar Candelaria, the dispensary is capable of accommodating patients needing minor surgery.
The dispensary does not only serve the medical needs of the Scout Rangers but also dependents and the residents of 10 nearby barangays are also among those who benefit from the services of the dispensary. Being centrally located, it is the logical facility to go to for first aid treatment as the nearest hospital is 12 kilometers away.
The dispensary also services the dental needs of the beneficiaries with in-house dentist Capt. Angelo Saruca.
At the turnover ceremonies, Paje said the gesture of SM Foundation in renovating the dispensary recognizes the soldiers’ efforts and inspires them. He acknowledges the help private entities are exPag-IBIG tending to the soldiers.
For her part, Angeles relayed that SM Foundation’s help goes beyond the remaking of the dispensary as it is committed to help in its upkeep and maintenance.
The upgraded dispensary will make a difference in Scout Ranger training according to SMIC corporate affairs head and SMFI Foundation trustee Chito Macapagal and adds that “Heroes are trained in Camp Tecson.”