MEMORIES of PFAC Palawan Part 3

MARISSA P. LADICA and HELEN MURPHY

Shared some of their memories of PFAC Palawan. Please send me a PM if you want to share yours. Every week, I will be sharing 2 memories written by members of the VOLAGS in the past, starting March 24, 2025.

 

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JVA / IOM PFAC American Volunteer Karen

JVA / IOM volunteer Karen Inez from the United States of America volunteered her services to IOM and the United Nations serving Vietnamese refugees in Palawan, Philippines.

 

Some of the important tasks that she did was to issue IOM Bags - the large white plastic bag issued to refugees at the time of travel to the U.S. in order to carry medical and other documents, including the DS-2053, immunization records, and overseas chest X rays. 

JVA stands for Joint Voluntary Agency. It is now called OPE - Overseas Processing Entity.

First set of Photo collections from PFAC Palawan submitted to our blog by Karen Inez. 

 

Our PFAC Palawan Logos

Meet Doctor Vic Salas

Hello PFAC Family,

 

I worked in PFAC Palawan from January 1988 to June 1989 as the Medical coordinator and IOM medical officer. I took up a position in IOM Thailand and then in IOM Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon) from July 1989 to June 1992. 

 

I'm still in touch with former IOM staff since I try to visit Palawan whenever I can.  The last time I visited Palawan was in May of 2011 or 2012. My Palawan and IOM experience was a turning point--I got more involved in migrant and refugee health care and public health, and I left clinical care and private medical practice.  

 

My best memories--and there are many-would be an introduction to cross cultural experiences, and working with an amazing team of people, including our OPD volunteers. It's an experience I will never forget.

Dr. Vic Salas

Dr. Vic Salas served as IOM physician and medical coordinator in PFAC Palawan from January 1988 to June 1989.  He is currently based in Cambodia.

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