A TOTAL of 88 students from an Indigenous People’s Community benefited from a gift-giving and feeding activities conducted by the Department of Agrarian Reform-Tarlac and the soldiers of 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion at Tala Elementary School, Barangay Burgos, San Jose, Tarlac last February 8, 2024.

Apart from giving slippers and school supplies, the group also gave solar lights to the beneficiaries.

Marlon Linda, Officer-in-charge of Tala Elementary School, expressed his gratitude to the joint efforts of the Army and DAR-Tarlac led by Mr. Gerald Fontanoza for choosing their school as a beneficiary of the activities.

“Kami po ay lubos na nagpapasalamat sa inyong inihandog sa aming mga mag-aaral, Nawa’y ipagpatuloy pa ang magandang adhikain at pagtulong ninyo sa mga kabataang mag-aaral lalong-lalo sa mga katutubong pamayanan,” Mr. Linda said.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Jeszer M Baustista, the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion, emphasized the continuous partnership of the government and stakeholders in helping the students, particularly in Geographically Isolated and Conflict Affected Areas in Tarlac.

“Ngayon hindi lamang ang kasundaluhan ang gustong pumunta sa mga malalayong lugar at umakyat sa mga kabundokan upang magpaabot ng tulong lalo na sa mga katutubong pamayanan, marami na tayong katuwang. Ito’y nagsisilbing daan upang maipadama natin sa mga mag-aaral lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar ang patuloy na suporta ng gobyerno maging sa mga pribadong sektor na gustong tumulong sa mga ibat-ibang sektor ng lipunan,” Lt. Col. Bautista said.

The Commander of the 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, Major General Andrew D. Costelo PA, commended the continued collaboration of the Army and its local stakeholders as they extended assistance to the IP students in Tarlac.

“By having collaborative efforts like this, we will be able to reach more communities who need assistance. Itong simpleng pagbibigay ng mga regalo sa mga bata ay nakakatulong sa pagpapatuloy ng kanilang pag-aaral. Our gratitude, of course, to DAR-Tarlac for their consistent support of our activities that benefit the communities in far-flung areas, maraming salamat,” MGen. Costelo said.

Also present during the activity were Irene Lagman, Marketing Officer of Expression Magic Star Mall; Janette Tarroza, IP Representative of DAR; Mobile Community Support Sustainment Team (MCSST) led by Staff Sergeant Eric C. Dela Cruz; and teachers of said school.