15th IB launch “Kalinga sa Bayan” ng Tangkal

By Phil Paalan and Malyne Gungob

TANGKAL, Lanao del Norte, January 30, 2015 – The Kalinga Sa Bayan ng Tangkal was conducted in Tangkal, Lanao del Norte last January 29-30, 2015 to train school children to become responsive, responsible, useful and productive citizens and participate in the development process of their respective communities.

Lt. Col. Goyena, Ex-O of 2nd Mech Bde, on his message of support

The two-day Kalinga Sa Bayan ng Tangkal undertaking  was initiated by the 15^th Infantry “Molave Warrior” Battalion, Philippine Army headed by Lt. Col. Leomar Jose Doctolero, battalion commander, in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation, Lanao Development Team, and the Local Government Unit of Tangkal (LGU-Tangkal), Lanao del Norte, in cooperation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Administration (PDEA).

The “Kalinga Sa Bayan” event, held at the Municipal Gymnasium, Barangay Poblacion, Tangkal, Lanao del Norte, aimed to empower school children to become useful and productive citizens of the communities to be able to contribute largely in the development of their respective localities as change agents and was participated in by over 400 school children from the various schools in the 18 barangays of the municipality with ages ranging from 5 years old to 18 years old, both males and females.

Mayor Hadja Fatima M. Tomawis, expressed her full support

The activities included Bayanihan race, where the youth who are the hope of the country, are trained in leadership skills such as camaraderie, cooperation, teamwork and similar skills; Kalinga Night where there was film showing of cartoon movies that carry moral values such as nothing is impossible if we want  to perform and accomplish something and you can dream and achieve your dreams; empowerment sessions to teach team the core values of Gawad Kalinga such as unity, solidarity, love for fellow men, cleanliness and similar values; “Bihis Bayani” where the youth are trained to dress properly;  and drug forum where the youth are briefed on the Dangerous Drugs Law,  and the   danger of drugs, among others. The  “Kalinga Sa Bayan”  ended with the mass singing of the song, ”Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Fifteen youth leaders were trained to facilitate the activities to make the children get the most out of the activities. Several guests from Negros Oriental were present to observe the “Kalinga Sa Bayan ng Tangkal”  activities. In a brief program, Hon. Abdany C. Buanding, Sangguniang Bayan Member of Tangkal welcomed the participants, guests and visitors, as he thanked the participants and the people behind the children’s activities,

Giving slippers to children

Lt Col Galileo R. Goyena, Jr., Executive Officer, 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army, who represented Col. Gilbert Gapay, gave his message of support.  He said the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade under Col. Gapay is committed to support the undertaking as it is intended to mold our youth who are the hope of our fatherland, to become productive citizens of the community.

Mr. Jake Gerona, Head Gawad Kalinga, Province of Lanao del Norte , expressed his thanks and gratitude especially to the 15^th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, headed by Lt. Col. Doctolero, for the opportunity of becoming a partner for the “Kalinga sa Bayan” program. He also extended his gratitude to the Local Government of Tangkal and other partners.  Gerona said they built houses for Sendong victims in Iligan City. He said that they will talk with Mayor Tomawis for possible housing project in Tangkal. The Gawad Kalinga provided slippers for free to the children numbering to at least 400 pairs.

Jake Gerona, GK Head, delivered a message before a crowd

The Department of Education (DepEd) of Tangkal has declared January 29 and 30 for no classes just to attend the “Kalinga sa Bayan ng Tangkal” as a great opportunity for children and youth for personal development. Hon. Hadja Fatima M. Tomawis, Municipal Mayor of Tangkal expressed the fullest support and cooperation of the LGU-Tangkal in the successful implementation of the undertaking as she extended her warmest thanks and gratitude to the 15^th Infantry Battalion, for initiating the activity to educate and capacitate the youth for personal development and become model citizens of the community.  She said, “We appreciate the initiatives of the  15^th IB and the partners and cooperators of the undertaking for making it happen in Tangkal as she said that we will not forget this event as it was intended for our children.”

Lt. Col. Doctolero awarded a token of appreciation to the Mayor

In his message Lt. Col. Leomar Jose M. Doctolero extended his thanks and gratitude to the  partners and cooperators, especially the youth for largely helping implement the Kalinga Sa Bayan despite sleepness nights as they have to wake up early to serve as facilitators and make the event successful. The Kalinga Sa Bayan ng Tangkal was well attended and the children enjoyed so much the various activities. With reports and photo by Jun Enriquez.