Army to bring ‘Tsinelas para sa Kapayaan’ to Mindanao again

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 23 -- Army major Arturo Dumalagan and his fellow soldiers are off on another mission, this time armed with hundreds of pairs of flip flops.

“We try to win the hearts and minds of the community where ambush and landmines frequently happen,” said Dumalagan, who is assigned to the Office of Civil Military Operations, 8th Infantry Division based in Camp Lukban, Catbalogan City, Samar.

Dumalagan, who has been in the service for 17 years, said on Friday that he is “looking forward to reaching a milestone of giving 5,000 pairs of slippers or more” to children in poor and conflict areas through their “Tsinelas para sa Kapayapaan (flip flops for peace)" initiative.

The gift-giving of slippers started on November 8, 2016, in Patikul, Sulu after they were ambushed by the notorious bandit group Abu Sayyaf, Dumalagan said.

Since the founding of the outreach project, they have already distributed 4,081 pairs of flip flops -- Sulu island, 3, 471; Southern Leyte, 200; Northern Samar, 250; and Maasin City, 160.

“The flip flops we give is just a part of our motivation for the children to study hard and finish their schooling. It is not a simple gift but a ribbon tied on your finger,” said the 43-year-old military officer, who  came from a poor family and eventually worked his way out from hardship by finishing his studies as a working student.

“I am a living proof that poverty is not a hindrance for our dream but a challenge for all of us to overcome,” Dumalagan said.

Now married with two children, Dumalagan rose from his military career through hard work and determination.

For their next outreach project, he said they have two schools in Mindanao waiting for their gifts of flip flops.

He said they welcome donation for their outreach project either in cash or in kind.

"Tsinelas Para Sa Kapayapaan knows no boundaries as long as our sponsors are able to provide we can accommodate all who ask for their share and of course we prioritize the poorest of the poor school children in the far flung areas."

On July 8, Dumalagan’s advocacy was recognized during the Regional Youth Summit in Ormoc City.

Dumalagan said that “Tsinelas para sa Kapayapaan" also received an award for “uplifting the morale of youth in Sulu Peninsula by giving them sports equipment that greatly changes their way of life."

He said the support they give has led the youths away from the use of illegal drugs. It has also eased their sorrow as they struggle to survive amid the armed conflict in their area, Dumalagan said.

“Our advocacy for the young children who will become a new breed of a young generation in the near future will bridge us to the path of an everlasting peace in 'Land of Promise’ where souls and blood of our fellow countrymen lie in agony of unending war on terrorism,” Dumalagan added.(ROR/PNA)