UP studes show troops they care
SOLDIERS and their families stationed on far-off Pagasa Island will receive “care packages” containing food, supplies and letters from students of the University of the Philippines.
Eight cartons crammed with P20,000 worth of goodies were donated to the military containing packaged food, toiletries, tools, cell phone load and letters of encouragement. For the school kids there were school supplies and books.
“I am sure this means a lot to them, not just the material provisions, but more specially knowing that in each one of these boxes is a sincere show of support from its donors,” said Gen. Hernando Iriberri, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff.
The donation was made by the UP Cadet Alumni Organization as a manifestation of support for the AFP and the country’s claims in the West Philippine Sea.
“Our goal is to support our compatriots in the West Philippine Sea, specifically in the Kalayaan island group and the school on Pagasa,” said Tina Hernandez, the organization’s liaison officer.
Hernandez said they hoped the packages would raise the morale of the troops stationed there and let them know “they are not forgotten by the Filipinos they protect.”
The Philippines claims nine islands and reefs in the West Philippine Sea. Philippine Navy and Marine personnel serve on Pagasa for three to six months at a time.
Pag-asa, the largest island in the Kalayaan chain, has the only community with civilian residents.
The packages contained powdered drinks, canned goods, biscuits, candy, dried fruit, nuts and energy bars, spices, toiletries, board games, playing cards and activity books for entertainment.
They also held tools, fishing lines and hooks, matches and lighters, phone cards to enable the soldiers to call home, and letters of encouragement.
The school children are getting pens, pencils, crayons, and other school as well as art supplies. They also got powdered milk, chocolate, cereal, mosquito repellant, books, comic books, dictionaries, reference books, maps, puzzles and activity books, and flash cards.
