Soldiers, Local Officials Give Slippers To Pupils

Almost 200 children in barangay Can-eo, Bontoc, Mountain Province received a pair of slippers in a gift giving activity by soldiers of the 5th Infantry Battalion (Magilas) based in this town and municipal officials of Bontoc.

These beneficiaries consist of some out-of-school youths and pupils of the Can-eo Elementary School (CES) headed by Cesar Wagiyen

Wagiyen expressed his gratitude to the soldiers saying these gifts will surely bring smile to the faces of the students. “Ad-adu kuma pay ti maparagsakyo, iti daytoy nga ub-ubraenyo,” he added.

Vice Mayor Peter Puma-at challenged the pupils to excel in their studies for a brighter tomorrow . This activity he hopes would inspire the pupils to study hard and dream more for their future.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Nicolas Quemado, Jr. acknowledged the collaborative participation of the different partners like the local government officials and police personnel of Bontoc and other individuals.

“This simple activity where we joined together will bring more meaning to the pupils. They don’t just have their slippers, but they also have a team who will look into their welfare.” Quemado said.

The early valentines gift giving is an initiative of the 54IB to at least provide simple tokens to the pupils who needed them most. Each Magilas soldier voluntarily sponsored a pair of slippers every month and distributed to randomly selected schools.

The said activity was also witnessed by 2Lt Keith Gabriel B Paquibot, Platoon Leader of Charlie Coy, 54IB, Sangguniang Bayan members Herman Farnican and Esteban Ngoddo, police personnel headed by P/Inspector Faith Ayan Igualdo, Barangay Captain John Hewan and teachers of CES.

The 54th IB explained that the event was first organized in August 2015 and reached out to more than 1,800 students from ten schools its area of responsibility. (JDP/MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao)