MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur --Following the delivery of additional services in the municipality of Piagapo in this province, particularly in its Gacap village, officials expressed their gratitude to the military and other sponsors for their effort of reaching out to their communities Thursday, March 17, as part of their mission of dismantling the remaining Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group though promoting literacy.
Among the services enjoyed by the target community were the distribution of educational materials for the mini-library of Gacap Primary School, giving away slippers, feeding program, free haircut, and anti-terror campaign.
Piagapo municipal vice mayor Ali Sumandar showed his happiness for successfully pushing the program in his place through a unified effort which he recognized as significant in gaining more the trust of the citizens towards the government.
He shared that this was not the first time the army troops initiated to extend help to their town as they have been receiving since then various services such as the implemented Alternative Learning System (ALS), medical mission, and distribution of necessities, among others.
“Ako ay lubos na nasisiyahan dahil continuous iyong pagpush nila para sa connection natin sa ating community. Ito kasi iyong isa sa sangkap kung paano mahuhulog ang loob nila sa atin, kung papaano maipapahatid natin sa kanila kung ano ang programa ng gobyerno. This is a collaborative effort. Hindi kaya ng kasundaluhan lang. Hindi kaya ng LGU lang kung hindi lahat ng stakeholders dapat nagtulong-tulong para makamit natin ang ating matagal na inasam-asam na kapayapaan,” said Sumandar.
[I am very happy because the pushing of their connection to the community is continuous. This is because such is a factor for them to give trust to us, on how we can deliver to them the programs of the government. This is a collaborative effort. This cannot be done by the military only. This cannot be done by the LGU only, rather, all stakeholders must help one another to achieve the desired lasting peace.]
Gacap barangay chairman Saiben Abubacar also conveyed his thanks, seeing the event as a rare opportunity that not all villages can enjoy.
“Maraming events at programa sa nakaraan dito sa ating barangay. Maraming hindi natin makakalimutan na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga kapatid sa kasundaluhan… Tingin ko masayang masaya [ang mga bata] dahil hindi naman lahat ng barangay ay pwede puntahan. Alam natin na malaki ang tulong [na ito] lalo na sa mga kabataan,” he said.
[Lots of events and programs have passed in our barangay. There are also lots of unforgettable things our brothers and sisters in the army have given us… I think [the children] are very happy because not all barangays are reached out. We know that these are great help, especially to the children.]
Meanwhile, Gacap Primary School principal Haima Manarondong showed her gratefulness for the helping hands they felt at the time they were really in need.
She stressed that this act just got the children more motivated to continue their learning, and promote education and peace for all.
With this certain initiative, Manarondong committed her support to the fight for peace in their area as she likewise called on the parents to do the same through pursuing the education of their children.
“We can uplift them from those mga gawaing masama at para anti-conflict o violent extremism. Isa itong education para makaiwas tayo sa mga ganyan na mga sistema… Kaakbay niyo kami para isulong ang peace sa aming lugar. We are for peace and suportahan natin ang ating gobyerno para maisulong ang peace sa ating bansa,” she said.
Benefiting roughy 500 recipients, the recent community outreach program was led by the 51st Infantry "Fuerte Uno" Battalion alongside the provincial government, 103rd Infantry “Haribon” Brigade, Inner Wheel Club-Lanao del Norte, Kiwanis International, Ronald McDonalds House Charities, Inc., Jollibee-Iligan City, and Fiat Macarambon. (CRG/PIA-Lanao del Sur)
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