MANILA – The Association of Mindorenos (TAM) has conducted a three-day summer caravan providing some 425 backpacks and school supplies for students and eight wheelchairs, shirts, slippers, vitamins and medicines for their less fortunate provincemates including the Mangyan indigenous people in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro.
The caravan, led by TAM president Engr. Bal Cajilig, started Friday when the group distributed medicines, vitamins, wheelchairs and personal care items at the Home for the Aged which is run by the Aruga Kapatid Foundation in Barangay Masipit, Calapan City.
Aftewards, the group immediately proceeded to the Catiningan Elementary School in Socorro town to distribute 50 backpacks and school supplies, books and shirts for elementary pupils. They also turned over a wheelchair to the barangay.
Thereafter, the group went to Barangay Lisap in Bongabon town and provided shirts, vitamins, slippers, and 150 backpacks and school supplies to Mangyan families who are members of the Buhid tribe.
On Saturday, the association paid a courtesy call to Roxas town Mayor Violeta Dimapilis and distributed three wheelchairs, 150 backpacks and school supplies, and raincoats to pupils of Dangay Elementary School in Barangay Dangay.
The team also had a brief stopover in Barangay B. Del Mundo, Mansalay town and South Drive Beach resort in Bulalacao town before their convoy of seven vehicles crossed the provincial boundary to distribute vitamins, backpacks and school supplies in Barangay Bayotbot day-care center in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. They also provided a wheelchair to 85-year-old Mercedes Olarte.
Early Sunday, TAM members again distributed 75 backpacks and school supplies for pupils and students of Sablayan Central School, Colegio de San Sebastian, Sabnahis Comprehensive High School and Tagumpay Elementary School, all in Sablayan town. For their continuing support to Tagumpay Elementary School, the association was given a certificate of recognition by school principal Grecy Fe Garlit.
The group proceeded to the St. Joseph Parish in Paluan town and turned over blankets, shirts and medicines to Fr. Gerry Causapin before going to the port in Abra de Ilog town to catch the night ferry boat back to Batangas City.
TAM, established in 1997, is an association of Metro Manila-based Mindorenos who has been regularly conducting medical missions, gift-giving for the elderly, sports fest for the youth, and feeding programs for the needy.
Engr. Cajilig said the apolitical activity “is our own little way of giving back to the community and sharing with our provincemates”.
Joining the caravan were TAM officers that include Occidental Mindoro VP Salvy de Vera, Oriental Mindoro VP Beng and Ed Ventura, Treasurer Larry de Vera; Auditor Atty. Ning Centron, Assistant Secretary Dra. Eden Cajilig. Assistant Auditor Engr. Celso Hiwatig; Assistant Treasurer Mafe Hiwatig; PRO Louie Morente, member-adviser VP Romy Robles, and TAM past presidents Atty. Ed Janda and Percy Aranas and his wife Bibian. (Luis Morente/PNA)
