“Builders of peace”, Sagip Kapamilya help Sarangani village

By COCOY SEXCION

MALUNGON, Sarangani (December 10, 2011) - A two-classroom school building was inaugurated and formally turned over Friday (December 9) to the community of Lamlifew, a Blaan village.

It was also the launching of a 120-day feeding program for the pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School.

The projects were carried out through the concerted effort of the Armed Forces of the Philippines through the National Development Support Command (NADESCOM), ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya “Gusto kong mag aral” program, Municipal Government of Malungon, Department of Education and the Provincial Government of Sarangani.

The P800,000 school building for Lamlifew Elementary School and another school building in barangay San Jose in General Santos were part of the 12 school buildings completed nationwide by soldiers from NADESCOM, said Capt. William Rodriguez, public affairs officer of Sarangani-based 1002nd Brigade.

The turnover was witnessed by Major General Carlos Holganza, commander of NADESCOM; Tina Monzon Palma, program director of ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya; Governor Migs Dominguez, Mayor Reynaldo Constantino, Vice Governor Steve Solon, Congressman Manny Pacquiao’s chief of staff Bren Evangelio, and other stakeholders who contributed for the completion of the project.

General Holganza thanked the community for the support given to the construction soldiers. “Without you, we will not be here. I hope we will be able to continue our relationships in this way. We are here to serve and we will continue to serve,” Holganza said.

“From managers of wars, our soldiers now are builders of peace,” Holganza added.

Vice Governor Solon lauded the efforts of the community for effectively managing the community-based living museum.

“The governor put in assistance initially, and it was the community itself that is running the museum and the tourism aspect of the community,” Solon said.

Sitio Lamlifew was officially declared as living museum of Blaans during its launch in November 2008.

“In behalf of the province, maraming salamat to Sagip Kapamilya,” Governor Migs Dominguez told the crowd.

“Ngayong araw na ito, meron isang makasaysayang nangyari sa inyong lugar. Nagkaroon ng isang dalawang classroom at ito ay itinayo ng mga taong nagmamahal sa inyo. (Today, a historic event happened. A two classroom building is constructed in your place by people who loves you),” said Tina Monzon Palma.

Palma said that part of the event is the launching of a 120-day feeding program for the pupils of Lamlifew Elementary School through the Bantay Bata 163.

Palma also promised to give rewards to pupils who will gain weight of at least five kilograms after the feeding program. For more news and updates about Sarangani, please visit www.sarangani.gov.ph (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)