Lorenzana to mobilize medical reservists to help in fight vs COVID-19

August 3, 2020

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said he directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to find medical reservists who can be called for active duty.

"Last night I was directed by the President to mobilize our medical reservists. He was thinking actually of mobilizing all reservists but I told him that we only need the medical reservist so it will be good if we can bring them to active service so that they can help in the fight against COVID," said Lorenzana.

"I have already directed the Chief of Staff, general headquarters to find out who among our reservists can be caledl to active duty ," he said.

"Now once we identify these we will make the recommendation to the president to call them to active duty because there is a need for the approval of the president because,  this will entail some funding while they are in active duty," he added.

Lorenzana also emphasized the importance of improving the medical facilities of the armed forces.

"Also we have to improve our medical facilties in the AFP so it will become a reserve of our country in case it will be needed, in case the hospitals outside will be full they can be used the hospitals in the military," he said.

Lorenzana said the military has a total of 380 medical officers as reservists and 5,368 enlisted personnel who have medical training.

Newly appointed  AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said the military will also mobilize its affiliated hospitals to help in the effort against COVID -19.

"The direction will be also a comprehensive one, total effort, all hands on deck, all force multipliers and those reservists which the Armed Forces could mobilize will be asked to help out and contribute to really address this pressing requirements and concerns as far as COVID pandemic is concerned," he added. Robina Asido/DMS