MANILA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Navy hospital ship USNS Mercy is coming to the Philippines later this May through mid-June to perform medical missions, the United States Embassy said here on Monday.

　　USNS Mercy will support medical, dental, veterinary, and construction assistance programs ashore and afloat at selected locations in eastern and southern Philippines, and engage in community relations events in Manila.

　　The mission of the USNS Mercy is about partnerships -- with local NGOs, with Philippine health care professionals, with the local government officials, with the Armed Forces, and with the people of the communities who will host the Mercy and her crew, U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney said.

　　She said all medical and dental assistance programs are coordinated with and approved by the Philippine government.

　　USNS Mercy will also deploy a team of sailors from the U.S. Seabees to perform repair and construction projects ashore.

　　The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band will also be onboard the Mercy and will give public performances at various locations in the Philippines.

　　USNS Mercy, an 894-foot-long ship whose home port is San Diego, California, is designed and equipped to provide a variety of health services such as primary medical care, optometry screenings, burn care, preventative medicine, dental services, veterinary care, and surgery.