Kalinaw News: Combatting Terrorism through Education, Military and GMA Kapuso Foundation Strengthen Partnership in Bicol

Posted to Kalinaw News (Jan 31, 2021): Combatting Terrorism through Education, Military and GMA Kapuso Foundation Strengthen Partnership in Bicol



CAMP ELIAS ANGELES, Pili, Camarines Sur-In the pursuit to provide the Bicolanos a conducive environment for learning, the Joint Task Force Bicolandia (JTFB) and GMA Kapuso Foundation Inc. (GMAKFI) once again collaborated to rehabilitate and build classrooms for various schools in Bicol which were damaged by three strong typhoons last year.

On Friday, January 29, a total of 20 newly rehabilitated classrooms were inaugurated in Sto. Domingo Central School in Sto. Domingo, Albay.

No less than the Commanding General of Philippine Army, LTGEN CIRILITO E SOBEJANA PA, served as one of the guests during the ceremony.

In his message, Lt. Gen. Sobejana lauded the programs for education of GMAKFI which he considers as a great complimentary effort to the peace and security campaigns of the government.

“We really need to invest on education. Ika nga, mayroon kayong mga sundalo that kills the terrorists, we have the teachers or the academe that kill terrorism. So, if our teachers and our academe are effective in doing their job, of killing terrorism, then, there will be no terrorists. So, if there are no terrorists, then your soldiers will be effectively supporting your efforts of educating the youth which I consider the most vulnerable sector in our society,” Lt. Gen. Sobejana said.

As a constant partner, Ms. Rikki Escudero-Catibog of GMAKFI thanked the Army for its sincerity to extend a hand to the beneficiaries of their various projects.

“I really noticed how the Bicolanos value education, from primary to secondary to college. It really pleases us that we have this very nice school to turn-over to you because we know how hard the students and the teachers work on education,” Catibog added.

Also present during the event were MGEN HENRY A ROBINSON JR PA, Commander of JTFB; Gov. Al Francis Bichara of Albay; Mayor Joseling Aguas Jr. of Sto. Domingo; Norma Samantela, the Schools Division Superintendent of Albay, Barangay officials and the faculty and staff of Sto. Domingo Central School.

Prior to this, a blessing and inauguration of two classrooms of San Rafael Integrated School in Barangay San Rafael and another two classrooms of Prieto Diaz Central School in Barangay Poblacion both in Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon was conducted last January 27 with LTGEN ANTONIO G PARLADE JR PA, Commander of Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) as one of the guests.

Meanwhile, in Catanduanes, a groundbreaking ceremony was also held on January 28 for the construction of four classrooms of a Kapuso type school building and the rehabilitation of two classrooms of Palta Big Elementary School in Barangay Palta Big, Virac town.

Aside from security during the rehabilitation phase, the Army also provides the labor counterpart through its 565th Engineer Construction Battalion.

MGen. Robinson on the other hand said that the success of the said projects is a manifestation of the undying “bayanihan” of the government, its partner stakeholders and the Bicolanos.

“We are hopeful that with these school facilities, young Bicolano learners will be better equipped in terms of education. I fully agree with Lt. Gen. Sobejana that as future leaders of our country, we should address the needs of the youth sector. Schools should be a place where students can hone their skills, discover their potentials and learn how to be productive individuals. Thus, we thank the GMAKFI for always giving us the opportunity to be part of these noble projects,” MGen. Robinson said.

[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/combatting-terrorism-through-education-military-and-gma-kapuso-foundation-strengthen-partnership-in-bicol/