BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
GUIMBAL Iloilo – A total of 2,000 native children of this municipality received pre-school opening treats from the Garin family headed by former congressman Oscar “Oca” Garin.
Each kid was given school supplies composed of notebooks, notepad, crayons, pencil and envelopes.
This initiative was part of the Children’s School Gear Program, a child-friendly program with the theme “Caring for the Young Generation of Guimbalanons” under the leadership of Guimbal’s Mayor Christine “Ting-ting” Garin.
Aside from this, they were also treated with Jollibee spaghetti, Chicken Joy, juice and soft drinks.
Former congressman Oscar Garin, who shouldered part of the expenses, lauded the recipient children for finishing the 25-day Christians religious education called Catechesis, a program of the Parish of St. Nicholas of Tolentino in Guimbal.
The Children’s School Gear Program and Catechetical Culmination Day were simultaneously held at Guimbal Gym on May 28.
He said religious education would help nurture the spiritual growth of children between now and their adulthood.
“I believe that while they are still kids there is a need to instill in their minds that they have souls and there is God,” the elder Garin intoned.
Apart from the Jollibee treat, Garin also gave P500 to each of some 250 kids with perfect attendance in Catechesis; and free uniforms to religious educator.
According to Garin, that was the first time he had extended such support to Catechesis children. He would like to do it to other towns in the 1st District.
He added that although expensive, it still paid off because of the appreciation and the deep sense of gratitude he got from the young ones.
Garin emphasized that he would pursue this purely civic/spiritual program every year.
Also in attendance during the event was 1st District Provincial Board member Nimfa Garin, the former congressman’s better half./PN
