By Claro A. Lanipa
PAGADIAN CITY – The First
Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army distributed
yeserday hygiene kit to 200 grades 1 and 6 pupils of San Pedro Central
Elementary School, this city.
City Administrator Lauro Mendoza said “at
the onset of rainy season and not only rainy season but typhoon season, it is important
that our children be protected from any illness and these can be prevented
through regular proper hygiene.”
Mendoza commended the First Cavalry
Squadron for initiating this program, “which is beyond its call of their duty.”
“Traditionally, we all know that our
soldiers carry their firearms and go to the mountains in search of the lawless
elements or enemies of the state. But today we all witness the members of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) particularly those of the First Cavalry
Squadron are with us helping in the promotion of proper hygiene by giving
hygiene kit to our schoolchildren,” Mendoza said.
Executive Officer Major Roger G. Conmigo, who represented the Squadron
Commander LtCol. Charlemagne Batayola Jr., said this activity is one of our
program under the squadron’s Civil
Military Operation (CMO) aimed at promoting proper hygiene to our indigenous
people especially the children.
“Cleanliness is really very important not
only in our surroundings but also in our physical body,” as he quoted the saying which goes “cleanliness
is next to godliness.”
In addressing the 200 pupils and some parents at the
school’s stage, Conmigo pointed out that “if we will keep ourselves always
clean, we will stay away from illnesses and we will have a healthy body.”
Dr. Mayleen Manupac of the Rural Health
Unit of Labangan explained the importance of hygiene and demonstrated the proper
hand washing, brushing of teeth and other hygiene techniques prior to the
distribution of the kit.