Army's community outreach program caters Talacogon students’ needs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 14, 2019): Army's community outreach program caters Talacogon students’ needs (By 26IB, Philippine Army)

TALACOGON, Agusan del Sur, Aug. 14 -- Students from Barangay Zamora Elementary School of this municipality have recently benefited the Army-initiated community outreach program.

In celebration to the 35th Reactivation Anniversary of 26th Infantry “Ever Onward” Battalion with the theme “Ever Onward alang sa katawhan, kalinaw ug kalambuan (Ever onward for the people, peace and development),” the unit conducted community outreach program in partnership with Talacogon District Hospital, Rural Health Unit and 544th Engineering Battalion which benefited by 181 students including teachers, parents and senior citizens of Barangay Zamora, Talacogon, Agusan del Sur.

A total number of 50 packs of school supplies given to Day Care and Kinder students, 50 packs of hygiene kit given to grade 1-3 students, one flat screen 43” LED TV, one electric fan, five boxes of chalks and reading materials.

With a joyful heart, Gerlie Dinero, head teacher, said “No words can express how much we are thankful for the service and contribution given to us by 26th IB. This is an early Christmas gift to our school. In behalf of our faculty, students and parents, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much. You are truly the messenger of peace and development.”

Medical and dental checkups, haircut service and shoe repair were also extended for the said program.

With a total number of 200 patients for medical and dental checkups, 41 of these were given medicines and vitamins; 71 persons were also accommodated for free haircut and a total number of 21 shoes and 12 sandals were repaired.

Snacks were also distributed by one of the famous fast-food chains in the country invited during the activity.

In his message, Punong Barangay Teodulo Tanduyan said “Sa taas nga panahon, sa TV ug radio ra namu makit-an ug mabati ang ingon ani nga serbisyo nga gihatag sa mga sundalo sa katawhan sa kumonidad. Daghang salamat sa 26th IB nga gihatagan me ug higayon nga ipatagamtam sa amua ang niining serbisyo alang sa katawhan. Dako na kaayo ning ikatabang sa amua, hinaot nga daghan pa mo matabangan sa umaabot pa nga panahon (For the longest time, we only get to watch and listen a program like this where soldiers extend services to the community. Thank you very much to the 26IB for allowing us to experience and avail the services from your end. This has been a great help for us, and we hope that more would benefit from your generosity).”

According to Lt. Col. Romeo Jimenea, commanding officer of 26th IB, with the continuous collaboration, cooperation and involvement of various stakeholders with the same goal, every activity will be a success.

“We are here to give hope and happiness especially to the students and children of this barangay. Securing their future is very important for us, and seeing their smiles on every faces inspires us to perform our duties well to achieve lasting peace and development,” he said.

“Our youth is the hope of our nation. We will work together, to give inspirations and hope to the children, by letting them realized that there are government agencies that will take good care for their future, to prevent them from being radicalized by our enemy,” added Jimenea. (26IB/401st Brigade, PA/ PIA-Agusan del Sur)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1025810