UNDETERRED by rugged mountainous terrain and hours of foot travel, military officers and civilian workers trekked into the hinterlands of Davao del Norte to deliver early holiday cheer, educational support, and basic aid to indigenous children in geographically isolated communities.
Troops led by LTCOL Jesus L. Rosete, commanding officer of the 60th Infantry Battalion, completed a three-hour mountain hike at dawn on Oct. 10, 2026, to reach the Balay sa Kinaadman (House of Wisdom) learning center in Sitio Nalaslasakan, Barangay Palma Gil.
The command visitation served to evaluate and sustain the battalion’s flagship “Mediator PAGLAUM Program,” an educational initiative aimed at enhancing literacy and nurturing young learners in remote Indigenous Peoples (IP) areas historically vulnerable to armed conflict.
In partnership with the 10th Infantry Division, Ms. Jely C. Lindaan, Case Manager at the 10ID Gender and Development Section, conducted “Aral at Saya: A Learning Adventure”—an interactive workshop focused on building confidence, teamwork, and foundational learning among local youth.
The outreach culminated in an early Thanksgiving and Christmas celebration, where battalion personnel distributed warm meals, toys, and school supplies to the children.
The holiday drive extended through October 11 as troops on their return trek distributed additional food packs and snacks to IP children in neighboring Sitios Damagan, Sambolongan, and Bugni.
“Lasting peace is nurtured by investing in the next generation and empowering young minds so that no child feels forgotten, regardless of how remote their community is,” the 60IB leadership noted in a statement.
The 60IB reiterated its commitment to combining security operations with proactive community development to foster long-term stability and youth empowerment across Davao del Norte.