Army troopers
distributed computers, books to elementary schools in Northern Samar
By 20th Infantry Battalion,
8ID PA
June 21, 2013
BRGY. MAGSAYSAY, Lope de
Vega, Northern Samar – The troops of 20th Infantry (We Lead)
Battalion, 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division, Philippine Army has
distributed a total of five (5) sets desktop computers, with complete
accessories and two hundred fifty (250) assorted text books and
reference materials to five (5) elementary schools in Northern Samar
province that was conducted from June 6-13, 2013.
Lieutenant Colonel Noel A
Vestuir, 20IB’s Commanding Officer, in his report to 803rd Brigade
Commander, Colonel Rolando Malinao, said the items were donated by
Rotary Club of Loyola Heights through the efforts of the Office of the
Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil Military Operations (J7), AFP.
The computers and books are
part of the joint project of AFP and Rotary International dubbed as
“Books for Peace” aims to provide text books, reference materials and
computers to remote barangays in support to the government’s effort of
providing quality education focusing in conflict affected areas. Among
the beneficiaries of the project are San Miguel Elementary School,
Curry Elementary School and Magsaysay Elementary School in Lope de
Vega; Trojillo Elementary School in Bobon; and Happy Valley Elementary
School in San Isidro, all of Northern Samar Province.
LTC Vestuir, CO, 20IB
personally handed over the books and computers to Mr Cristito A Eco,
the OIC, Division Schools Superintendent of DepEd, Northern Samar, who
in turn gave the items to the district supervisors and principals of
the recipient schools.
The activity was also
attended by the district supervisors, principals, teachers, pupils,
parents, barangay officials of the recipient schools and barangays and
the local media from Calbayog City and Catarman.
Mr Eco expressed his
gratitude to the Philippine Army and the Rotary International for the
realization of the project that would certainly enhance the learning
process in the elementary schools. According to Mr Eco, this is the
first time that the recipient schools were able to receive such
computers and books. He also urged the teachers and pupils to properly
take care of the said items in order for the next generation of pupils
to also benefit from it.
According to LTC Vestuir:
“The Books for Peace project would greatly help upgrade the literacy
level of elementary pupils of the recipient schools considering that
the area has limited access to some open source and readily available
reference materials such as internet. He also thanked the AFP
leadership, the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for CMO, OJ7 and
the Rotary Club of Loyola Heights for their support to the Bayanihan
Activities of the Unit. Indeed, the activity has exemplified the firm
resolve and commitment of the people behind the project to help the
children as the hope of our fatherland.