MANILA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Friday ordered the health department to send medical teams in the quake-shattered Haiti.

    Arroyo's directive is just one of the several world leaders who joined the global relief efforts to assist a county that was devastated by earthquake. Some 500,000 people were feared dead while tens of thousands were injured by the Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude quake.

    Arroyo said she also instructed the Philippine military to place on standby a contingency of reserve peacekeepers that would be sent to Haiti when needed.

    Arroyo said this is only way that the Philippines could return all the aid and assistance that it received when the country was struck by recent calamities like typhoons Ketsana and Parma.

    "We are more than ready to give a helping hand as we were victims ourselves. We have also been a recipient of international assistance, now it is our turn to give back," she said.

    Arroyo also acknowledged the Filipino peacekeepers in Haiti, who despite being victims themselves after the United Nation headquarters where they were staying collapsed, continued to assist others who are worse off than them.

    The President said she would give medals and other awards to the Filipino peacekeepers in Haiti when they return to the country to show the government's gratitude and appreciation of their loyalty to their duties. 

Special Report: Strong Quake Rocks Haiti