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By Sunday Post

      The municipal government formally declared two Philos volunteers as the town’s newest adopted son and daughter through a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) resolutions.

      Mayor Exuperio Lloren led the ceremony in the evening of February 11 at the Capt. Goyo Caseñas Hall formally adopting Dr. Lefkos Aftonomos, M.D. and Fe Alarcon, R.N. as adopted son and daughter of the Jagna, based on SB Resolution No. 61-08-2008.

      Both are Philos Health volunteers, who had come to Jagna for more than five times, since 2004 to conduct medical clinics in the barangays, thus, making a difference to the health care service in the municipality and the lives of the Jagnaanons.

      A medical doctor by profession in the United States, Dr. Aftonomos specializes in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

      He is also the medical director of the LCC Treatment Program and department director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mills Peninsula Health Services (MPHS) at San Francisco Bay Area in the US.

      Working as a supervising nurse also at MPHS, Alarcon is a naturalized American but proud of her Filipino descent.

      Both also sit as board of directors of Philos Health, a non-government organization based in the US and Jagna’s medical partner for the last five years.

      Mayor Lloren personally thanked the Philos Health Team headed by its chief executive officer (CEO) and also an adopted son of Jagna, Forrest Malakoff.

      “This year, 2009, marks the 5th year of the Philos Health-LGU Jagna partnership. I still remember that day in August 2004 when Forrest came to Jagna and introduced Philos Health. After understanding on how we would work together for Jagna’s health services, many good things have happened until today”, Mayor Lloren said in his opening statement.

      “Tonight, please allow us to show our small act of gratitude to you for the enormous contributions to Jagna and sharing it to the province of Bohol as well…in particular to the more than 50 volunteers, almost half of whom came twice or more in the span of our partnership”, the Mayor added.

      Mayor Lloren and the 6th SB likewise conferred recognitions to the other Philos Health volunteers who are considered “first timers” and “second timers” by giving each of them a plaque of recognition.

      Another highlight during the program was the giving of special recognition to John Kent, who, as part of the Philos Health team, became instrumental in the establishment of the Jagna Community Radio through his financial assistance.

      Kent is forever etched in the local history of Jagna as “Father of the Jagna Community Radio” as inscribed on the plaque given him.

      For the five-year old partnership with Philos Health, Mayor Lloren also accorded an extraordinary plaque of recognition to Malakoff.

      The team arrived on Sunday and conducted its 7th round of medical clinics to more than a thousand patients starting in barangay Malbog on Monday, barangay Boctol on Tuesday, barangay Balili on Wednesday and in barangay Faraon on Thursday last week.

      The Philos Health volunteers comprise of US-based medical doctors, Dave Kim, John Rosenberg, Chris White and Lefkos Aftonomos.

      Alarcon headed the team of nurses and medical staff to include Evelyn Lopez, Elizabeth Kinsella, Mandy Auyoung, Jennifer Lobdell, Annie Lin and Maureen Gunning.

      The local health staff which participated in the medical clinics is headed by Municipal Health Officer Dr. Arnold Cagulada and Dr. Trish Luces of the Rural Health Units I and II, respectively.

      Meanwhile, the Jagna Community Radio--DYJP 100.1 FM, an affiliate of the Radyo ng Bayan network of the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) is now on its 3rd week of test broadcast.

      Kent, the major benefactor of the said project between Philos Health and the LGU-Jagna, was very impressed at the way the radio station is being managed and controlled.

      Kent expressed hope that the said community radio, considered as the first in Bohol, could deliver to the constituents the right information and public services needed especially on health issues and concerns.

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