With residents now returning to the once-abandoned Barangay Muslim Area in the province of Basilan, the 4th Special Forces Battalion of the Philippine Army has built a playground to bring joy to kids in the area.

Through the ‘Siklab-Diwa: Project Playground’, First Lieutenant Alvin K. Balancod, the Commanding Officer of 14th Special Forces Company based in the municipality of Maluso formally inaugurated the playground that consists of a twin slide, couple swing, seesaw, and a monkey bar all attractively painted in rainbow colors.
“Sa playground nagsisimula ang pagkakaibigan at pagkakaisa ng mga bata na siyang panghahawakan nila hanggang sa kanilang paglaki. Sa playground nagsisimula ang isang komunidad. (Friendship and unity starts in a playground among kids which they will bring until they grow up. It is in a playground where a community is built),” said Balancod.
Five soccer balls were also donated to the community for the soccer-enthusiast children.
The Commanding Officer of 4SFBn, Lieutenant Colonel Alex D. Ampati believes peace is at hand now that natives of the Barangay Muslim Area are back in their homes after almost four years of being displaced due to the threats of the Abu Sayyaf Group who used to roam the vicinity.
“Sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan ng iba’t ibang sektor at ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan dito sa Basilan, tiyak na manunumbalik ang sigla, saya, at kapayapaan sa barangay. Asahan nyo po na ang inyong kasundaluhan ay palaging narito upang magbigay seguridad at susuporta sa inyo. (Through the cooperation of different sectors and agencies of the local government in Basilan, it is expected that vigor as well as peace in this village will once again ge felt. Rest assured your soldiers will always be here to provide the needed support and security),” LTColonel Ampati said.
Distribution of hygiene kits, soccer balls, and feeding program on April 1 brought happiness to the kids and parents of the community.
The project intends to provide an avenue for psychosocial development of the children and for them to build friendship, unity, and cohesiveness in the community.