THE Western Mindanao Command, through the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Zamboanga, has installed rainwater tanks to aid in providing the residents of Pangapuyan, an island village east of this city, with sufficient potable water.
Major Andrew Linao, Westmincom information officer, said Monday, August 14, 2023, the installation of rainwater tanks highlighted Westmincom’s outreach program in Pangapuyan island.
Linao said the tanks were installed at Pangapuyan Elementary School, Barangay Health Center, and the old and new Madrasah on Saturday, August 12.
“This project would aid in providing the community with sufficient potable water,” Linao said in a statement Monday, August 14.
Pangapuyan is a small island village in Zamboanga City located east of the barangay of Arena Blanco and at the southern tip of Sacol Island.
The island has 220 households and more or less 1,000 inhabitants who are mostly of the Samal Banguingui tribe.
The military-initiated community activity in Pangapuyan Island include mangrove planting, an information drive, medical and dental civic action program, a feeding program, and gift-giving to address present issues and needs of the island community.
Linao said the community activity was made possible with the support of the local government led by Mayor John Dalipe and other concerned stakeholders.
Lieutenant General Roy Galido, commander of Westmincom, expressed his sincerest gratitude to all those who made possible the conduct of the activity.
“It gives us so much pleasure to be able to serve our partners for peace, our dear Kababayans. This is our little way to return the favor to the citizens who persistently support and help us accomplish our mission,” Galido said in his message read during the outreach program by Brigadier General Vincent Incognito, Westmincom deputy commander.
The community work was among the series of activities conducted by Westmincom to commemorate its 17th Founding Anniversary.
This year’s anniversary is anchored on the theme: “WMC @ 17: Reaching Out to be More Reliable, Responsive, and Relevant Partner for a Better Nation”.(SunStar Zamboanga)