Giving Back to Community, Bringing Smiles to Children in Far-flung Barangay
The Philippine Army’s 53rd Infantry “MATAPAT” Battalion (53IB) and 547th Engineer “AGILA” Battalion conducted a community engagement activity at a remote area in the hinterlands of Barangay Bagong Silang, Dumingag town, Zamboanga del Sur on February 13, 2020.
The said activity was primarily aimed at engaging the community in Barangay Bagong Silang, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur to encourage and win the residents to support the government’s peace and security initiatives and deny CPP-NPA mobility and mass support.
The said activity coincided with the birthday of 53IB Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Herrera who chose to celebrate with the residents of the far-flung barangay and hold a gift-giving activity for poor children.
“As part of our Community Engagement, we initiated fun games and story telling that empower children to prevent them from enemy’s radicalization,” Lt. Col. Herrera said.
The Matapat Troopers were received by Bagong Silang Barangay Chairman Roldan Buac. “I am very thankful for the soldiers who came here to bring gifts and joy to our children,” Chairman Buac said.
A number of Former Rebels (FRs) also accompanied the Matapat Troopers to provide assistance for the activity.A simple program was held to provide entertainment for the children with representatives from the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) and Pfc Daniel Bagsican of the 547th Engineering Battalion.
