Army playground brings joy to kids in formerly abandoned barangay

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 3, 2021): Army playground brings joy to kids in formerly abandoned barangay (By Rene V. Carbayas with reports from 4SFBN, PA)

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, April 02 (PIA) – The formerly abandoned community of Barangay Muslim Area have once again come to life after an army playground was setup and brought joy to kids in the area.

The 4th Special Forces Battalion formally inaugurated the ‘Siklab-Diwa Playground’ together with the distribution of hygiene kits, soccer balls, and feeding program on April 01 that brought happiness to the kids and parents who are returning back in their community.

The ‘Siklab-Diwa: Project Playground’ consists of four apparatuses, namely: a twin slide, couple swing, seesaw, and a monkey bar, which were attractively painted in rainbow colors. Five soccer balls were likewise donated to the community for the soccer-enthusiast children. Project playground intends to provide an avenue for psychosocial development of the children and for them to build friendship, unity, and cohesiveness in the community.

“Sa playground nagsisimula ang pagkakaibigan at pagkakaisa ng mga bata na siyang panghahawakan nila hanggang sa kanilang paglaki. Sa playground nagsisimula ang isang komunidad,” First Lieutenant Alvin K. Balancod, the Commanding Officer of 14th Special Forces Company based in Maluso said.

Lieutenant Colonel Alex D. Ampati, the Commanding Officer of 4SFBn, also expressed high hopes for a brighter future of Barangay Muslim Area now that peace is at hand and the constituents have already returned after almost four years of being internally displaced due to the threat from the terrorist Abu Sayyaf Group roaming around its vicinity before.

“Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng iba’t ibang sektor at ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan dito sa Basilan, tiyak na manunumbalik ang sigla, saya, at kapayapaan sa barangay. Asahan nyo po na ang inyong kasundaluhan ay palaging narito upang magbigay seguridad at susuporta sa inyo,” LTColonel Ampati said.

Meanwhile, the Nagdilaab Foundation Inc. headed by its Executive Director, Ms. Miriam Suacito distributed some eighty (80) hygiene kits that contain bath soap, laundry soap, fabric mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary napkin, shampoo, nail cutter, dishwashing liquid, and BIDA kit bag with BIDA, DOH, and USAID logos.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Assembly of God Church led by Ms. Brenda Elnar also conducted a feeding program to some sixty (60) children in the community.

“Tayo po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa pagbibigay ng sigla sa aming lugar at sa aming mga kabataan. Sa bawat ngiti, saya nila, ganun din ang nararamdaman ng mga magulang nila,” Amin A. Pansulani, the Chairman of Barangay Muslim Area said.

The Siklab-Diwa Playground was donated by the members of PMA Class 2014 for the peace-loving sons and daughters of Barangay Muslim Area, and as memorabilia for the heroism of their fallen comrade, the late 1LT Jun G. Corpuz. (RVC/PIA9-Basilan with reports from 1Lt. Clint Ramos–CMO 4SFBN, PA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1071349