15th IB Kalinga sa Bayan Program benefits Lanao Norte school children

From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 23): 15th IB Kalinga sa Bayan Program benefits Lanao Norte school children

Around 300 school children from various schools in the municipality of Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte, participated in the Kalinga Sa Bayan Program.

Dubbed as ‘A Gathering of Heroes,’ the 2-day event conducted at the municipal gymnasium at Barangay Pened, Poona Piagapo, was initiated by the 15th Infantry (Molave Warrior) Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Philippine Army, in cooperation with the Local Government Unit of Poona Piagapo, the  Department of Education (DepEd), and the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Lt Col Leomar Jose M. Doctolero, commanding officer of the 15th Infantry Battalion, said they aimed at training the children and youth, ages ranging from 5 years old to 18 years old, from the 26 barangays, this municipality, to become responsive, responsible, useful, and productive citizens to be able to contribute in the development of the community as change agents.

Doctolero said the activity is also in partnership with Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Lanao Development Team, and Christar of the Philippines, Inc.

Activities on the first day, Dec. 20, included orientation and sessions on Gawad Kalinga, Lakas ng Pagbabago and Bayani Challenge and highlighted with Kalinga Night.

On the second day, Dec. 21, included activities like early morning exercises, empowerment session, puppet show, story-telling, dancing, singing, film showing with morale values and lessons, and drug symposium.

In the drug symposium, Rosemarie Bajao of PDEA made a power point presentation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Part of the presentation was film showing on the negative effects of illegal drugs viewed by participants aged 14 years old and above. Bajao also stressed the role of PDEA in enforcing the drugs law, which is to reduce illegal drugs supply as well as reduce illegal drugs demand and embark on a campaign of advocacy and help in the rehabilitation of the illegal drugs users.

The Molave Warrior Band of the 15th IB provided the musical entertainment. In the afternoon was the distribution of certificate of participation and appreciation in making the affair a resounding success. The school children enjoyed most the servings of ice cream provided by the organizers of the program.

Municipal Mayor Farhana R. Palawan on her part expressed her appreciation to the 15th IB  and the civilians who were responsible for making the Kalinga Sa Bayan in Poona Piagapo a reality. Also, DepEd District Supervisor Ammilee A. Sanggacala said they were grateful to the 15th IB, of this initiative to educate and capacitate the youth for personal development to become good citizen.

While Col. Gilbert I. Gapay, commander, 2nd Mechanized  Infantry  Brigade, Mechanized Infantry Division conveyed his message of support and said “Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa at kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Nararapat lang  na sila ay ating alagaan at itaguyod ang kanilang mga karapatan. Karapatan na magkaroon ng magandang edukasyon, pagmamahal at pagkalinga, ligtas na kapaligiran, maging masaya at malusog. Sa pagtutulungan ng LGU, Army, non-government organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), mga magulang, mga guro at cause-oriented groups, ating samang-samang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan at karapatan ng mga kabataan para sa isang magandang kinabukasan.”

The following school children were privileged to share their testimonials. Saidomar Mamasao said that their dreams are their capital investments in realizing development in the country. Sohaira Macapaser expressed that the affair is important to the children in checking poverty in the country. On the other hand, Hanira Tomanork said that the young children are the strength of society and are vital component in the development of the country. The three children expressed their thanks and gratitude to the people and organizations behind the conduct of the affair which is important to the youth as they learned a lot as well as enjoyed every activity of the event.

Kalinga Sa Bayan Program helps train the youth to become useful citizens by providing them the opportunities and mobilize them as change agents and subsequently contribute to the development of their communities and country, said Doctolero. He asked the local government units (LGUs) to support the program for the sake of the children.

A similar program had been conducted earlier in Munai, Lanao del Norte. The next Kalinga sa Bayan Program will be held in Tangcal and then Kolambugan, to be followed by Maigo, all from this province, which are part and parcel of the areas of responsibility (AORs) of the 15th Infantry Battalion.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1511419268056/15th-ib-kalinga-sa-bayan-program-benefits-lanao-norte-school-children-