Multi-sectoral groups donate goods, cash to AFP
As a show of gratitude to members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), multi-sectoral groups in the city have pooled resources for the donation of relief goods and cash to soldiers who are sacrificing their life and family for the love of country and people.
Dubbed “Ayuda para na Soldao,” the donation of relief goods was spearheaded by the Movement for Better Zamboanga under Tessie Sebastian with support from Mayor Celso Lobregat and District I Congresswoman Beng Climaco.
“This is to reaffirm our dynamism and unity. We pay tribute to our real heroes—the soldiers—both the dead and most especially the living,” Sebastian said during turn over rites held at the Naval Forces Western Mindanao Command (NAVFORWEM) headquarters yesterday morning.
Mayor Lobregat and Cong. Climaco, who also contributed to the donation kitty, assisted Sebastian in turning over the goods and cash to NAVFORWEM Commander Rear Admiral Alexander Pama and BGen. Rustico Varela.
Sebastian said the multi-sectoral initiative yesterday was not the first, as there have been similar undertakings in the past but these were done sans media publicities. She said the pooling of resources is primarily to show gratitude to the gallant soldiers who are doing their utmost best to serve and protect the people and country—also without fanfare and most often without public recognition.
The MBZ chairperson cited an article written by Cito Beltran in his column “CTalk” in the Philippine Star, which in a way expresses dismay over the lack of attention and recognition on Filipino soldiers, dubbed as the “genuine heroes” who fight and die in battles.
Mayor Lobregat in his message also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Filipino soldiers. “It is but fitting for us to pay our respects and tribute to men in uniform—both the dead and the living”.
He said the city government, even during the time of his late mother, Mayor Maria Clara Lobregat, has been very supportive and has maintained close relationship with the AFP.
“As long as I am mayor, that support and close relationship with the AFP, will always remain strong and solid,” the mayor added.
Cong. Climaco likewise paid tribute to the martyrdom of Filipino soldiers, who are mostly residents of other areas in the country. “We thank you for your efforts to come over to Zamboanga to protect us.”
Rear Admiral Pama, meanwhile, said the singular act from the multi-sectoral groups in the city will go a long way for the soldiers to continue their struggle to protect the Filipino people in this part of the country.
“More than the material things that we receive in this activity today, it is the feeling and the act of gratification that come along the way,” Pama emphasized.
The donations that included sacks of rice, packs of biscuits, coffee, noodles, cases of softdrinks and water and cash were contributions from Cong. Climaco, Atty. Arsenio Gonzales Jr., Eddie Cheong, Myra Abubakar, Nyra Cabelin, Uy-Wee family, Rotary Mother Club, Mary June Bugante and friends, Zamboanga Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by Mr. Siong Ben Wee, Zamboanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry headed by James Makasiar and the Silsillah Dialogue Movement.
The cash donations were contributions from the Philippine National Bank (P25,095); Mayor Celso Lobregat (P10,000); Zamboanga Lions Club (P10,000) and the Industrial Group of Zamboanga (P5,000). (Sheila Covarrubias)