79IB Commemorates 15TH Anniversary through Adopt-A-School and Outreach Programs
SAGAY CITY, Negros Occidental — Driven by its theme “Masaligan@15: Pursuing Professionalism and Service Excellence Amidst the Pandemic”, 79TH Infantry 'Masaligan' Battalion, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel J-jay T Javines kicked-off the celebration of the unit’s 15TH Founding Anniversary celebration, with the adoption of Pacol Elementary School in Brgy Baviera, Sagay City, NOC as one of the beneficiaries of its Adopt-A-School Program, distribution of food packs and delivery of basic services as part of its Community Outreach Program.
By virtue of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on August 17, 2021, 79IB and Pacol Elementary School, ably represented by Mr. Ramelo D Lopez, Teacher-in-Charge, committed themselves to embark on a meaningful journey with the end in view of providing quality and relevant education to the students as provided for in Republic Act 8525 or the “Adopt-A-School Act of 1998. In the said agreement, 79IB, through the support of its partners and stakeholders, pledged to conduct repairs and maintenance of dilapidated school facilities, improvement of water system and construction of feeding center, among others.
Although by no means new to undertakings that support and advance community education, this initiative is the unit’s first Adopt-A-School Program in Northern Negros.
After the MOA signing, a community outreach activity was also conducted in collaboration with the City Government of Sagay headed by Mayor Alfredo D. Marañon III; Teachers of Pacol Elementary School headed by Mr. Ramelo D. Lopez, TIC; Felix G Yusay Foundation, Inc. headed by Ms Sharon Jornadal, Executive Director; Ms. Remelie D Teton, Owner of Teton Company; Ms. Divine Abela, SPAG-Asa Silay Coordinator, 1ST Negros Provincial Mobile Force Company; Tactical Operations Group 6 – TOW Central; Radyo Bandera Sweet FM, Motorcycle Club Inc.; and RYU Foundation Inc.
About 75 students of Pacol Elementary School together with their parents received food packs containing rice, coffee, noodles and canned goods; school supplies; vitamins and fruits. Other services offered were feeding program by SPAG-Asa and free haircut services from Teton Company and the Masaligan Troopers.
Mr. Ramelo Lopez, Teacher-in-Charge of Pacol Elementary School thanked 79IB and emphasized that the partnership will be of great help for the improvement of the school and especially to the students. "We are very fortunate to have been selected as a beneficiary to the program. This is not only our accomplishment as members of the Brigada Eskwela, but also of the whole school and the Division of Sagay City", Lopez said.
Meanwhile, Lt. Col Javines expressed his gratitude and appreciation to numerous partners and stakeholders of 79IB for their continued support and cooperation that immensely contributed to the overall accomplishment of unit's mission to sustain the peace and development in Northern Negros. He also assured that the Masaligan Troopers will remain steadfast and committed to serve the Negrenses with utmost professionalism and provide them with excellent service that they truly deserve."
Prior the anniversary celebration, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Companies of 79IB also conducted various Community Outreach activities in cooperation with LGUs, local PNP units, CSOs and POs in their respective Areas of Operation which benefitted more or less 120 individuals from Gen. Luna, Sagay City; 100 from Hacienda Camantero in Guimbala-on, Silay City; and, at least 50 persons from Gen. Luna in the Municipality of Toboso.
Together, let us continue building peaceful and progressive communities that are INHOSPITABLE to the presence and influence of any threat group who seek to undermine our efforts for nation building.