903rd Infantry Brigade joins the National Reading Month Celebration

CASTILLA, SORSOGON, Dec 4 (PIA) – For three years now, the 903^rd Infantry (Fight and Defend) Brigade, 9^th Infantry (Spear) Division, Philippine Army in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) Sorsogon has been actively joining in the celebration of National Reading Month by participating in a reading activity in a School of Peace in Castilla, Sorsogon.

The National Reading Month, an advocacy that aims to revive the love and interest for reading among the elementary and high school students is being observed every November pursuant to DepEd’s Memo Circular 244 of 2011.

Colonel Joselito E. Kakilala, Commander of 903^rd Infantry Brigade led the soldiers in telling stories to Grade I and V pupils of San Isidro School in Castilla, Sorsogon.

Colonel Kakilala read a story on Noah’s Ark.

San Isidro Elementary School has been under the School of Peace Program of the Bicol Consortium on Peace Education and Development (BCPED) as pilot school since 2000. Under this program, which is supported by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPPP), the school incorporates peace concepts in their lessons in most subjects based on the curriculum provided by United Nations Development Program (UNDP). 

“The 903^rd Brigade is indeed grateful and honored to be part of this annual advocacy that aims to develop the love and interest for reading of our young people.  We assure our educators that the Army here in Sorsogon will always be here to fully support them in molding the hearts and minds of our young people because we believe that they are one of the important catalysts in our quest for national peace and development”, Colonel Kakilala said.

The 903rd Infantry Brigade was also joined by students taking up Bachelor of Science in Peace Studies at the Bicol University in Daraga, Albay in the simultaneous reading activity.

Mr. Teddy C. Janola Principal 1 of San Isidro Elementary School was thankful to 903rd Brigade for their usual support to the various programs and activities of the School for Peace.

The 903^rd Brigade soldiers treated the pupils to light refreshments after the activity.  Toys were also distributed as early Christmas presents for the kids. (BQCadungan, PA/BARecebido, PIA-5/Sorsogon)

Grade I pupils of San Isidro Elementary School in Castilla, Sorsogon eagerly listen to Col Kakilala as he tells the story of Noah.

The Grade I pupils take a souvenir pose with Colonel Kakilala after the storytelling activity