A TOTAL of 170 students have benefited from the joint outreach mission of the military and non-government organizations in central Mindanao, military officials said Tuesday, August 27.
Major Arvin John Encinas, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, said the beneficiaries of the basic and social services held on Sunday, August 25, are the students of the Madrasatul Ittihadiyah Al-Islamiyah in the village of Upper Capiton, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
Encinas said the beneficiary-students received school supplies, dental kits, slippers and learning materials.
He said the outreach mission, which was the first time Madrasatul students have benefited, included the conduct of parlor games and supplementary food feeding.
Those who joined the community outreach mission were members of the Army's 90th Infantry Battalion, Taga Cotabato ka kung Incorporated, Social Climbers Inc. and Kutawato Kamera Klab.
"We yearn to help agencies and organizations across the country in reaching their goals towards national development efforts by alleviating poverty and by helping children in conflict-affected and far-flung areas in Mindanao," said Lieutenant General Cirilito Sobejana, Westmincom chief.
Sobejana said the conduct of the outreach mission is geared toward "our common goal of realizing sustainable peace and development in Mindanao." (SunStar Philippines)