TACLOBAN CITY— To help improve educational access in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas of Samar, the 8th Infantry Division (8ID) donated 244 educational books to the Samar Provincial Library in Catbalogan City on February 21, 2022.
The donation, led by Col. Erwin Rommel Lamzon, assistant division commander for Reservist and Retiree Affairs (ADCRRA), supports the Samar Provincial Government’s Barangay Reading Center and School Library Program.
Col. Lamzon emphasized the importance of books for children in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), where internet access remains limited.
“Even with technology, many of these areas still rely on printed materials. Most of the books we donated are K–12 certified and cover elementary to college levels,” he said.
The initiative began with a family-led book donation drive, which Col. Lamzon expanded to benefit various communities within 8ID’s area of operations in Eastern Visayas.
Melita Mallari, officer-in-charge of the Samar Provincial Library, welcomed the partnership, saying the donated books would significantly aid communities without reliable access to online learning resources.
The provincial library plans to carry out five book donation activities this year, with beneficiaries to be identified through the Department of Education–Catbalogan City Division.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
