SOFRONIO ESPAÑOLA, Palawan — Government troops assigned in this town have volunteered to teach basic reading and writing to several Pala’wan indigenous communities.
Cpt. Ellaine Collado, commanding officer of the 54th Marine Company (54MC) of the Marine Battalion Landing Team-4 (MBLT-4), said the basic community-based tutorial program was held on June 10 at the covered court of Barangay Pulot Interior.
It is part of their Community Support Program (CSP) to bring peace and development in the hinterlands of Sofronio Española.
She said while the Pala’wan children are not yet able to study in school, they decided to offer the community tutorial to keep their passion for learning alive.
“This is to support community development amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that they are the future of their conflict-affected community — they cann0t continue with their studies yet that is why our unit initiated this limited community-based tutorial to sustain their passion for learning as we protect them from the communist-terrorist groups’ influence,” she said.
Meanwhile, mayor Marsito Acoy said the help of the Marines in the basic learning development of the Pala’wan IP children is welcome in their town as it aims to encourage them to continue studying despite the challenge of COVID-19.
He said volunteer teachers like the Marines are helping residents of Sofronio Española continue to value the importance of education.
“Naniniwala tayo syempre na ang kabataan ay kailangang magkaroon ng gabay at maturuan din sila ng programa ng pamahalaan tungkol sa RCSP (Retooled Community Support Program) kaya noong mga nakaraang buwan nag per barangay tayo para malaman natin ang mga problema sa komunidad,” Acoy said.
