POOR residents in a remote barangay in Basilan are now assured of free health services as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recently completed a humanitarian project in the province.

Brigadier General Eugenio Clemen, chief of the 1st Marine Brigade, said they inaugurated on Tuesday last week the newly constructed health center in the village of Bohe Bessey, Lamitan.

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Clemen said the health center project is one of the engineering projects of the AFP's National Development Support Command (NDSC) in Basilan.

He said the construction of the health center that started in July was completed last October 24.

It was constructed by the 1st Mobile Naval Construction Battalion of the Philippine Navy Seabees.

"With the completion of the health Center, the well-being 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," he said.

The project is in line with the National Government's Health, Education, and Livelihood Program (Help), Clemen said.

Bohe Bessey village chief Herman Kasanarin, on behalf of his constituents, conveyed their gratitude and appreciation to the project implement by the AFP.

Kasanarin noted how the Philippine Navy and the local leaders gathered their acts together in development endeavors in support to peace and development efforts in the province. (Bong Garcia)