Second Chances

By James Michael Flordeliz and Khyyam-Bin Farghani Montañer | Posted on January 16, 2022

Believing in second chances, participating in community and nation building, working for development and lasting peace – all of these reasons why both the Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan and sponsoring club the Rotary Club of Uptown Iligan birthed this joint three in one project.

This three in one project is for the rebel-returnees (FRs) and for the men and women in uniform of the 4th Mechanize Infantry (Kalasag) Battalion – Armor (Pambato) Division, Philippine Army. 

Turn-Over of Donated Materials For Sukang Kalasag Production, with Rotaractors, Rotarians, FRs and Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Pereña – Commanding Officer and Battalion Commander.

The project is divided into three categories:

  • Turn-Over Of Donated Materials For Sukang Kalasag Production – In Support Of Former Rebels (FRs) Livelihood Program 
  • Pagbabalik Loob Tungo Sa Kapayapaan – A Peace And Conflict Resolution Talk With Former Rebels
  • Medical Mission – Free Visual Screening and Medical Check-Up For Former Rebels

All of these projects were conducted simultaneously last, November 11, 2021 near Marawi City at the 4th Mechanize Infantry (Kalasag) Battalion Camp, Barangay Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao Del Norte.  

The Sukang Kalasag Livelihood Program is already an ongoing project of the 4th Mechanize Infantry Battalion for the rebel-returnees or FRs. As they entered into the second phase of production and to aid the project, both clubs were able to give 50 kilos of ginger, 1 sack of salt, 2 sacks of garlic, fresh chili and frozen meat products. This is to aid the project to concur from materials and production costs, so that output will be higher and they can invest the sales to production and gain more dividends. 

The peace and conflict resolution and mental health talk conducted by Rtn. Dr. Cora Lim a Registered Psychologist. In the talk the FRs were able to share their stories of hardship as rebels and their dignified return to the society. They each shared their own stories on how the community embraced them back, how their lives were changed and how the national government and military has helped them. What struck both Rotaractors and Rotarians are how the FRs stressed out the importance of peace in conflict driven areas and communities and how peace can bring about progress and positive change.

Rotaractors of the Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan with Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Pereña, Commanding Officer and Battalion Commander and Major Rommel M. Montemayor, Executive Officer.

The medical mission was divided into two parts; first was by Rtn. Dr. Mary Ann Nacion an Optometrist for the free visual screening and prescription eyeglasses. The second was by Rtr. Dr. Ian Levi Villarin a General Practitioner and his Medical Staff for the medical check-up (blood pressure examination and blood sugar screening). The beneficiaries were also given face masks, Vitamin C and medicines (paracetamol and pain reliever). 

Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Pereña, Commanding Officer and Battalion Commander, Major Rommel M. Montemayor, Executive Officer and all the men and women in uniform of the 4th Mechanize Infantry (Kalasag) Battalion expressed their sincere gratitude to both clubs of this endeavor. To give his support to the Council President of Zone 2 of the Rotary Clubs of District 3870, President Cris Macapayag was present at the event and commended both clubs for this joint effort.

Prescription eyeglasses, face masks, vitamin c and medicines for the beneficiaries.

Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan, President Dorah Jane Aranaydo said, “Second chances are important, may this endeavor make the FRs feel that they are supported and embraced by the community and may this be an example that we can achieve lasting peace”. In his message, President Froilan Escalante of the Rotary Club of Uptown Iligan, expressed his hopes that through this endeavor the FRs can have a new start and through the Sukang Kalasag livelihood program they can give a bright future to their families.

Through this endeavor we learned not only the dignified stories of these FRs, but also the institutions and individuals that are helping them with their second chance. Both clubs will never waiver in creating impactful endeavors to the community and to transform lives. In the journey of our lives and in one way or another, we all deserve second chances.  

IKADUHANG HIGAYON

BY: Khyyam-Bin Farghani Montañer

Ang pagtuo sa ikaduhang higayon, ang pag apil sa mga buhatonong magpaunlad sa komunidad, og ang pagsuporta sa kalinaw. Kini nga mga rason ang nagpasimuno sa paghigayon sa “three in one” project nga gipangunahan sa Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan, og ang sponsoring club, “Rotary Club of Uptown Iligan.”

Alang para sa mga rebel-returnees(FRs) og mga laki’g bayi nga parte sa 4th Mechanize Infantry(Kalasag) Battalion – Armor (Pambato) Division, Philippine Army ang 3 in 1 project nga gipahigayon sa pagsapon sa duha ka organisasyon, ang Rotary Club of Uptown Iligan og Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan. Gipangunahan kini ni Changemaker President Froilan Escalante.

President Dorah Aranaydo assisting Rtn. Dr. Mary Ann Nacion for the visual screening check-up.

Titulo sa mga Proyekto:
“Turn-Over of Donated Materials for Sukang Kalasag Production – In Support Of Former Rebels(FRs) Livelihood Program

Pagbabalik Loob Tungo sa Kapayapaan – A Peace and Conflict Resolution Talk With Former Rebels

Medical Mission – Free Visual Screening and Medical Check-Up for Former Rebels

Gipahigayon ang tanang proyekto sa petsa Nobyembre 11, 2021 sa 4th Mechanize Infantry(Kalasag) Battalion Camp, Barangay Nangka, Balo-I, Lanao del Norte.

Gipadayon ang proyektong kaniadto na gisugdan sa 4th Mechanize Infantry Battalion para sa mga rebel-returnees, nga ato sad ginatawag nga FRs. Sailang pagpadayon sa ikaduhang phase sa proyekto, Pinaagi sa pagtinabangay sa mga club, nakahatag mi og singkwenta ka kilo nga luya, isa ka sakong asukal, duha ka sakong ahos, lab-as nga sili, og frozen nga karne. 

Ang pamulong mahitungod sa kalinaw og resolusyon sa mga panaglalis ang gipangunahan ni Rtn. Dr. Cora Lim. Sa paagi ini, nahatagan og oportunidad ang mga katawhan para maingon ang ilang mga gipangagihan og giunsa pag bag-o sailing mga kinabuhi. Miingon sad sila kung unsa ka importante ang kalinaw sa mga lugar kung aha perme makita og madungog ang paglalis og mga di maayong paguban. Para sa mga katawhan, mulambo ang isa ka lugar kung adunay kalinaw. Ang pahayag sa mga FRs labot sa paghatag og importansya sa kalinaw ang maoy nitatak sa mga Rotaractors og Rotarians.

Rtr. Dr. Ian Levi Villarin and his Medical Staff doing the medical check-up (blood pressure examination and blood sugar screening).

Adunay duha ka medical mission, nga gipangunahan ni Rtn. Dr. Mary Ann Nacion para sa libre nga visual screening og antipara para sa prescription, og gipangunahan pod ni Rtr. Dr. Christian Levi Villarin og iyahang mga medical staff para sa medical check-up(pag check sa presyon sa dugo og sugar sa dugo). Nakadawat sad ang mga benepisyaryo og libreng face mask, vitamin c, og mga tambal(paracetamol og tambal para sa hinanakit sa lawas)

Naghatag og pasalamat si Lieutenant Colonel Rommel M. Pereña, Commanding Officer, Battalion Commander, Major Rommel M. Montemayor, Executive Officer, og ang mga katawhan sa 4th Mechanize Infantry(Kalasag) Battalion. Niadto pod ang Council President of Zone 2 of the Rotary Clubs of District 3870, na si President Cris Macapayag nga naghatag saiyang suporta og pasalamat para sa maayong pagpadayon sa proyekto.

Matod pa ni Dorah Jane Aranaydo, ang Presidente sa Rotaract Club of Uptown Iligan, “Importante ang paghatag og pangkaduhang higayon, para kini mahimong kahigayonan sa mga FRs nga mabati nila na gina suportahan og dawat sila sa komunidad og hinaot kini mahimong ehemplo nga makab-ot nato ang kalinaw sa atong dakbayan. Saiyang gihatod nga mensahe, gihayag ni President Froilan Escalante of the Rotary Club of Uptown Iligan iyahang paglaom nga kining higayon ang makapasugod og hatag sa panghinanglanon sa pamilya sa mga FRs bahin ining Sukang Kalasag livelihood program.

Gikan niining kahigayonan, atong nahibal-an nga dili lang ang dungganon na mga kasinatian sa mga FRs, kundili, apil na pod ang mga institusyon og mga indibidwal nga nagtabang og hatag sa ilang ikaduhang higayon. Nagpanatili ang duha ka club nga himoong mas ligon pa ang pagpahigayon sa mga proyekto nga makatabang og makapabag-o sa kinabuhi sa mga katawhan. Kitang tanan, adunay pangkaduhang higayon hangtod sa atong pagpanaw.

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