4th Quarter, 2024 – The Tactical Operations Group 11 (TOG 11), Philippine Air Force (PAF) through the Civil Military Operations (CMO) unit successfully implemented a wide range of community-focused initiatives, ranging from humanitarian support to outreach and gift giving programs, feeding activities, medical/dental mission support, blood-letting campaign, environmental conservation coastal clean-ups, peacebuilding, and the Campus Peace and Development forum. These activities are aligned with the goal of strengthening ties between the military and local communities through addressing their immediate needs, establishing long-term partnership and cooperation, as well as peacebuilding, emphasizing the military’s role seen as positive force in the development and well-being of the community. More efforts are pooled to reach calamity-stricken areas, the poor and underserved communities and the indigenous people group.
Key to the success of these activities and programs is the establishment of partnership with local government agencies and non-government organizations to maximize the use of services and resources for the community. Direct collaborations with the local barangay administration, schools, and private support groups and volunteers have proven to imbibe maximum cooperation among the target population.
These engagements have continuously maintained the rapport among partners and community and bridged the symbiotic supportive relationship between the military and the locals. TOG 11’s acknowledges the strong and consistent partnership with these 18 partners- JCI Kadayawan, Kiwanis Club International, Davao Bay Eagles Club, BWAPISM thru Mr. Edwin Luis, Philippine Army Finance Center Producers Integrated Cooperative (PAFCPIC), Davao Blood Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), United Neon Advertising Company, Davao Bay Eagles Club, Davao Bay Lady Eagles Club, Davao Bay Uno Eagles Club, Davao Bay Major Defenders Eagles Club, J3 Cargo Handling Company, KIWANIS Club Matahum Davao, BWAPISM, Comeda Y Lemonada Food & Refreshment, SF Group of Companies, Ecological Conservation and Humanitarian Organization,SNA Estetica Beauty and Wellness Hub, ACCC, CWSLAI, Gency Beauty, Ms Charity L Calixto and PEJ Construction Service.
In one of the medical and dental missions conducted, over 1,000 constituents of Barangay Sabangan, San Isidro, Davao del Norte received services that addressed both immediate healthcare needs and long-term community health improvements. Gift assistance were distributed to 500 families of the recipient barangay. TOG 11 augmented the technical and logistical resources during the 2-day mission spearheaded by the Philippine BAT Authority.
Feeding programs have been undertaken in several schools, barangays and special-needs group, with TOG 11 distributing over 500 meals to school children of Tubeson Elementary School, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur. A visit to the Home for the Aged in Barangay Cabantian Davao on 12th October 2024 allowed TOG 11 to address some basic and social needs of this special group. They received food packs of appropriate nutritional value and warmly enjoyed the musical entertainment by some of the TOG 11 personnel which somehow reduced their feeling of isolation.
The Blood-letting campaign is a regular quarterly activity, spearheaded by the TOG 11 CMO unit itself in partnership with the Davao Blood Center, SPMC, local health units and volunteers. For this quarter, this was done at the Davao Air Base last 3rd October 2024, successfully collecting over 17,500cc of blood from 35 individuals to augment blood and blood products needs for medical emergencies in the region. The partnership between TOG 11 and the mentioned stakeholders is steadfast to achieve the goal of helping address emergency health needs of the region.
TOG 11 stands as environmental warriors and has actively been involved in the coastal clean-up drive in Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte on 4th October 2024. A total of 30 kilometers of coastal stretch were covered removing tons of plastic waste, debris and trash that has polluted the area. This has reinforced the unit’s environmental stewardship and its role in community-driven environmental protection efforts.
The Barangay and Campus Peace and Development Forum (B/CPDF) program of the CMO TOG 11 has been one of the highlights and most implemented activity for this quarter. Since October, the CMO unit has engaged with several barangays and schools in an information and awareness campaign raising pressing issues including internal and external threats that the country is facing at current.
The WEST PHILIPPINE SEA DISPUTE has been tackled extensively with students and barangay constituents emphasizing on fact-based information regarding the tension, and their role as citizens of the country. Over 1000 barangay residents and students across the region participated in these interactive lectures/discussions.
One of the latest engagements happened in Barangay Gredu, Panabo City last 18 November 2024. The West Philippine Sea Conflict information drive is line support and compliance of the “MULAT” Communication Plan of the Philippine Air Force.
Moreover, the school engagements covered topics that are youth appropriate. Last 21 November 2024, the TOG XI CMO unit accepted a resource speakership invite by the Lower Tamugan National High School, Marilog Davao City during the SCHOOL LEARNERS CONGRESS during the school’s National Children’s Month Celebration. TOG 11 was given the floor to raise the campaign on AWARENESS and PROTECTION of YOUTH STUDENTS AGAINST COMMUNIST TERRORIST GROUP RECRUITMENT to the 1050 Grades 7-12 Junior and Senior high school students, together with the school’s faculty and staff, emphasizing the importance of being properly educated and informed so as not to succumb to these risky dangerous processes such CTG recruitment. Additionally, there were discussions regarding the West Philippine Sea and their role as future leaders and engagers for the country.
On 01 December, TOG 11 jumpstarted the holiday month with the “Pinaskuhan sa mga Bata,” – a gift-giving and holiday schees activity for the children of MARIPHIL Children’s Village in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. A short but fun-filled program was prepared for the 50 resident children, who enjoyed various activities and treats.
They received free dental services, toys, backpacks, school supplies, slippers, and lunch kits. The children were also entertained by a magic show and delighted with Jollibee meals. The event highlighted TOG 11’s dedication to reaching out to underprivileged children, bringing joy and hope to the lives of those embraced by the foundation.
Later, the same day, the unit hosted a Thanksgiving Christmas Party themed “A Night to Remember” at the Arrezo Clubhouse, Doña Pilar, Sasa, Davao City. This was to acknowledge, in gratitude, the unceasing support of TOG11’s partner stakeholders for most of the unit’s projects and programs throughout the year, thirteen (13) stakeholders graced the event to which the Group Commander welcomed them.
The highlight of the event was the handing of certificates of recognition to the stakeholders as a culture of gratitude and appreciation for their valuable contributions. The gathering also encouraged continued collaboration, future engagements and partnerships., Further, the activity provided an opportunity to celebrate mutual achievements and served as a platform to build deeper connections and more stable.
Overall, this quarter’s accomplishments are a testament of the critical role of the military in community development and protection in general. TOG 11 CMO unit has planned out more activities in the upcoming weeks to ensure continuity of the thrust for sustained community partnership and engagement in the context of service, peace and protection of the country and its people.
Through these efforts, this unit continues to exemplify the spirit of Bayanihan, demonstrating that its mission goes beyond national defense to include the well-being and development of the nation’s future leaders.
