UPV partners with the 82nd IB, and Rotary Club for “Books for Peace” Two of the four schools that were given books were up in the rugged hills of Miagao, Iloilo. The first stop was San Jose National High School, in Brgy. San Jose, located some eight kilometers from the town proper, passing the long, undulating Oya-oy River, which, during this time of the rainy season, is flooded with water. The uphill climb on the rough road on the way to the school equally posed a challenge apart from the crossing of the river. But the 6x6 truck of the 82nd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army wherein the boxes of books were transported, assured the donors that they will reach the intended beneficiaries. Incidentally, the truck also transported 100 school chairs that were donated to the San Jose National High School by De Paul College. UP Visayas through its University Library, partnered with Rotary Club Iloilo West with Rotary Club Miagao(District 3850), and the Philippine Army 82nd Infantry Battalion to deliver various books to four national high schools in Miagao. The boxes of books were donated at the UPV main library in the Miagao campus largely through the efforts of philanthropic couple Bruce and Rosalie Hall, lecturer and faculty member, respectively, in the Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, UPV. Various UP alumni groups have also donated. Bruce Hall is a member of the Rotary Club Iloilo West. A short program was held in each school wherein representatives of the partners in the “Books for Peace” gave short speeches. Hall, spoke on behalf of his wife who he said “was in love with books.” He briefly narrated how she also came from a town in Zambales and how her love of books has greatly contributed in helping her become an accomplished professor and researcher in UP Visayas. Her various research studies have also allowed her to travel in various places in the world. University Librarian Ana Mones thanked the principals of the schools for coming over to the UPV Library and select from among the books that their schools would need. She said that UPV library is always a repository of book donations. Books intended for college will be kept by UPV but the rest will be donated especially for the schools in Miagao. “While it is true that the core competence of the Philippine Army, along with the rest of the Armed forces of the Philippines is the security and peace and order of our country, we also partner with various stakeholders in the delivery of social services to our people,” said Lt. Col. Aldwine Almase, Battalion Commander of the 82nd Infantry Battalion located in Miagao. Almase who revealed that he is the son of a school teacher, urged the students to study well and put to good use the books that were donated. Ms. Margie Gadian of the Philippine Information Agency, Antique, and Ms. Arleen Moncera who represented the Department of Education, likewise echoed the same messages of encouraging the children to read, study well and make something of themselves. Also present were Ms. Moravi Flores and Mr. Hector Tejado who are members of the Rotary Club of Miagao and were former president of the club. Alejandro Firmeza Memorial National High School in Brgy. Aguiauan is located five kilometers from the town proper, Palaca-Damilisan National High School in Brgy. Tabuncan is also five while the Bacolod National High School in Bgry Bacolod is 10. They were the three other recipients of the “Books for Peace.” Transporting the boxes of books alone was a challenge even is Firmeza and Palaca-Damilisan high schools are located near a barangay road and a highway, respectively. Bacolod National High School was the last stop. The muddy road with its steep uphill and downhill climbed did not deter the army and their truck from delivering the last boxes. UPV is particularly thankful to the Halls and Philippine Army’s 82nd Infantry Battalion for providing the “muscles” not only to transport the books but to be able to do so in one day, not just in one, but in four schools.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 03:28:52 +0000
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