MANILA – American soldiers attended to the medical needs of thousands of families temporarily staying in a sports complex in Pasig City.

Among the US servicemen in the medical mission were Filipino Americans, Petty Officers Val Gaudia and Ryan Cason.

“Magkahalong lungkot at saya. Masaya kami kasi nakkatulong kami sa kapwa Pilipino. Malungkot, kasi sana under better circumstances at hndi trahedya,” said Gaudia.

“We’re very humbled and honored to extend our help to our kababayans, fellow Pinoys, in this time of great need,” Cason said.

Around 500 families or more than 2,000 people who were staying in various evacuation centers in Pasig City were transferred to ULTRA.
 
The US Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and US Marine Expeditionary Unit responded to the medical needs of the evacuees.

“We’re very happy to be able to come and help in the middle of this calamity, to assist through our doctors and medical teams in terms of emergency medical cases,” said Lt. Commander Todd Endicoot, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

The American soldiers were with members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as personnel from the Philippine's Department of Health when they distributed free medicine and dental services to the evacuees.

Janet Velasco was thankful to medical personnel who assisted her 8-year-old son, Raniel.

“Maraming salamat po sa kanila. Sa lahat ng tumutulong sa anak ko para magamot siya,” Velasco said.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo also visited the evacuees in Pasig and distributed PhilHealth cards, medicines and relief goods.

Reports said Malacañang has assisted nine barangays in Pasig City—the villages of Sta. Lucia, Rosario, Palatiw, San Joaquin, Sto. Tomas, Maybunga, Sagad, Manggahan and San Miguel.

Aside from ULTRA, 12 schools in the city are still being used as evacuation centers of families affected by floods brought by tropical storm "Ondoy". Report from Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News