903rd Brigade conducts Ugnayan sa Paaralan

           The 903^rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army recently conducted an information dissemination campaign in several schools in Pilar, Sorsogon starting on July 5 up to July 13, 2011. Dubbed as “Ugnayan sa Paaralan”, the primary objective of the program was to provide useful information to the students so that they could be productive members of society. Among the topics discussed were: 1) the Recruitment of Students by the New People’s Army; 2) Effects of Marijuana, Inhalants and Shabu; 3) the Role of the AFP in Development; 4) Values Enhancement and 5) Youth Welfare Program.

With the 3^rd Special Forces Company (Airborne) in the lead, the activity was a collaboration of different agencies which included the Local Government Unit of Pilar, the Philippine National Police, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD) Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region V.

The table below shows the schools where the program was held and the number of students who attended:

DATE	NAME OF SCHOOL	LOCATION	NR OF STUDENTS
July 5	Pilar National Comprehensive High School	Brgy Marifosque	350
July 6	Bayasong National High School	Brgy Bayasong	100
July 7	Holy Family Academy	Brgy Putiao	200
July 8	Salvacion National High School	Brgy Salvacion	109
July 11	Palanas National High School	Brgy Palanas	84
July 12	Manuel T Sia Memorial High School	Brgy Danlog	120
July 13	Abucay National High School	Brgy Abucay	227

Cpt Francis Espiritu of 3SFCompany organized the program. With him were Cpt Jovito Labog and 1Lt Pamela Panesa of 903^rd Brigade, Pilar Municipal Administrator Pastor Job P Villarin, Mrs Geraldine O Navora of the DSWD, PO1 Leila J Gonzaga of the PNP and several agents from PDEA.

The students expressed their appreciation for the activity. “Ito po ay makakatulong samin. Para hindi kami maloko ng NPA.”, said Gina M., a 14 year old student from Brgy Bayasong. The teachers also welcomed the efforts of the soldiers.

OPLAN Bayanihan of the AFP calls for the participation of the different stakeholders towards the development of the community, including the students. After all, they are the “hope of the nation”.