TAGOLOAN, Lanao del Norte — A day of compassion, unity, and service unfolded as the Army’s 11th Field Artillery Battalion (11th FAB), in partnership with the Inner Wheel Club of Lanao del Norte, held a community outreach for Indigenous Peoples (IPs) at Dimayon Elementary School over the weekend.

The initiative benefited Alternative Learning System (ALS) learners under the Department of Education–Lanao del Norte Division, along with families and children from the Umayamnon tribe. It aimed to deliver both material aid and moral support while strengthening community ties.

Beneficiaries received groceries, rice, slippers, and ice cream, while children enjoyed snacks that added joy to the activity. Books were also donated to Dimayon Elementary School to support its educational programs and upcoming Brigada Eskwela.

Soldiers, volunteers, and Omayamnon community members participating in a traditional boodle fight in Tagoloan.
SHARED MEAL, SHARED UNITY. Soldiers, volunteers, and community members take part in a boodle fight, symbolizing unity and equality. (Photo by Bonita L. Ermac)

Army personnel provided free haircut services, adding a personal touch to the outreach.

A boodle fight capped the activity, symbolizing unity, equality, and shared humanity among soldiers, volunteers, and the community.

Roselin Digayla Limpucan, a member of the Umayamnon tribe, expressed gratitude for the assistance. She shared that their group, originally from Bukidnon, settled in the area in 2000 in search of better livelihood opportunities.

Despite hardships, including livestock losses and farming challenges, she said the support was a big help to her family.

Inner Wheel Club President and Board Member Setty Deamila Macarambon commended the community’s perseverance, especially in pursuing education through ALS despite distance and limited resources.

A Philippine Army soldier giving a free haircut to a local resident during a community service outreach in Tagoloan.
FREE COMMUNITY SERVICE. Army personnel provide free haircut services to residents, adding a personal touch to the outreach. (Photo by Bonita L. Ermac)

She also highlighted the strong unity between the Umayamnon and Maranao residents of Barangay Dimayon, noting the absence of conflict and the presence of sustained peace in the area.

Meanwhile, 11th FAB Commander Lt. Col. Rogelio C. Baytec emphasized the military’s role as protectors of all people, regardless of religion or ethnicity. He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to community welfare and urged residents to report any misconduct without fear.

The outreach not only delivered much-needed aid but also strengthened partnerships, reinforcing a shared commitment to peace, inclusivity, and development.