THE Philippine Marines inaugurated the newly constructed Health Center in Barangay Bohe Bessey, Lamitan, Basilan, the Philippine Navy announced Wednesday.

Navy spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the Health Center completed in October 24 is one of the engineering projects of the Armed Forces of the Philippines' National Development Support Command (NDSC) in the province.

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First Marine Brigadier General Eugenio Clemen led the inauguration of the project.

In his keynote address, Clemen stressed the importance of the project in the community.

With the completion of the Health Center, the wellbeing of the poor barangay folks are assured of free health services, education, and livelihood especially in that part of the war torn province of Basilan.

Clemen also urged the residents of the barangay to persuade their relatives and friends who are Abu Sayyaf Group members to avail the "Balik-Baril" Program of the government and return to the folds of the law.

"Local officials of Lamitan especially Barangay Chair Herman A. Kasanarin of Bohe Bessey conveyed their gratitude and appreciation to the project. They noted as particularly noteworthy is how the Philippine Navy and the local leaders gathered their acts together in develoment endeavors in support to peace and development efforts in the province," said Arevalo.

Arevalo added that the project, which is in line with the Health Education and Livelihood Program (HELP) of the government, started in July this year and was undertaken by the Philippine Navy Seabees. (VR/Sunnex)