As we slowly adjust to the new normal brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Philippine government tried different alternatives to deliver its basic services to the Filipino people.
For one, the educational system was greatly affected. The Department of Education implemented blended learning to cater to the needs of students. Hundreds of students, especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas or GIDAS, were not able to cope with the program due to problems such as the unavailability of materials, distance of schools from their homes, poverty issues, and even lack of motivation to study.
Teachers around the country experienced dilemmas as well. They encountered a lot of difficulties, especially in delivering the learning materials and in gaining expected learning results from their respective students. The same sentiments were also experienced by the different schools in Sebaste, Aklan.
To answer the call of help by the pupils/students in the area, the personnel of the 2nd Antique Provincial Mobile Force Company led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Stephen S. Somosot, Force Commander, accepted the challenge to help the children, especially those struggling readers through Project “Brigada PagBasa.”
Project Brigada Pagbasa was initiated by the Department of Education Antique, intended to guide and aid learners who are struggling or are not able to read. This was done within two hours every Friday. Together with other volunteers, the 2nd Antique PMFC participated in its orientation on February 28, 2022, which was held at the Sebaste High School, in Barangay Idio in Sebaste, Antique.
Since then, the personnel dubbed as “Pulis-Titser Volunteers” took part in it, every session, at the Idio Elementary School and the Sebaste National High School, teaching children and providing tutorials, for these children to be able to read at the end of the school year. Every week, the Pulis- Titser Volunteers continue to help mold the minds of the younger generation of Antique in chasing their dreams as they unveil their abilities to read and understand.
The men and women of the 2nd Antique PMFC envision to influence the youth by touching their lives as they prepare themselves for the real world, guiding them and helping them realize their utmost potentials and skills to become productive citizens.
As what Dr. Jose Rizal said, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan!”. May this activity encourage our communities to believe and support our youth.
