THE different units under the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) separately held gift-giving and outreach programs in partnership with concerned stakeholders, sharing the blessings of Christmas.
Colonel Arturo Rojas, commander of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said 150 children benefited from the command’s “Pamaskong Handog 2020” conducted on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020, in Lakit-Lakit, Pahut and Sanga-Sanga villages in Bongao, the capital town of Tawi-Tawi.
Rojas said the activity was to give joy and happiness to less fortunate children and “for them to feel the spirit of Christmas with the Marines.”
Rojas said the children enjoyed the parlor games, magic show, food and gift-giving.
He said the activity was successfully held with the support of some individuals who provided toys, bags, slippers and food for the children.
In Zamboanga del Sur, the Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB) in partnership with Governor Victor Yu and First District Representative Divina Grace Yu have distributed on Christmas Eve, December 24, food items and souvenirs.
Lieutenant Colonel Jo-ar Herrera, commander of the 53IB, said beneficiaries of the gift-giving were the militiamen in patrol bases in the hinterland towns of Lakewood, Tigbao, Kumalarang, Dumalinao and San Miguel.
A total of 50 families in the towns of Baroy and Sultan Naga Dimpaoro, Lanao del Norte, benefited Wednesday, December 23, from the Mobile Gift Giving Activity 2020 dubbed as “Pamaskong Handog Ka Probinsya” initiated by the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion (MIB).
Lieutenant Colonel Alfonso Matias, 5MIB commander, said the activity was held in partnership with the Lanao del Norte Youth for Peace Association, ACDI Multipurpose Cooperative, Iligan Branch, and Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association, Inc. Pagadian Branch.
Matias said the activity was aimed to promote the essence of sharing and giving despite the differences in cultures and beliefs.
He said it is also to give joy and happiness to every family especially during these trying times of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
The Army’s 42nd Infantry “Tagapagtanggol” Battalion conducted a two-day house-to-house gift-giving activity from December 22 to 23 in the province of Zamboanga del Norte.
Lieutenant Colonel Leon Onggao, 42IB commander, said the beneficiaries of the gift-giving were residents of Mamad and Catuyan villages in the towns of Baliguian and Sirawai, respectively.
Onggao said the gift-giving is a tradition that will always be a significant part of celebrating Christmas and the activity "highlights the Bayanihan efforts of ‘Tagapagtanggol’ troopers to the public.” (SunStar Zamboanga)