BARBAZA, Antique-SM City Foundation through the Department of Social Welfare and Development 6 (DSWD-6) distributed 300 toys to Pantawid Pamilya-covred and school-based children in the town of Barbaza, Antique during a medical mission conducted at the compound of St. Anthony High School here recently.

The endeavor is part of the SM City Foundation’s “Share A Toy project” that encouraged kids to share their used and old toys to those less fortunate children.

Barbaza Mayor Gerry Necor said household beneficiaries coming from 39 villages of the town were given free feeding, medical, dental, surgery operation and medicines.

He added doctors and other physicians were provided by Colegio Delas Hijas De Jesus Alumni Association based in Iloilo City who sponsored the said medical mission while some municipal physicians in Antique also rendered their voluntary services.

Necor thanked the DSWD-6 and SM City Foundation for initiating this project to make these Pantawid children happy.

Pantawid Project Coordinator Jonathan Anteza said the partnership and trust given by the SM Foundation to the department is a big privilege to share those blessings to less fortunate children in the region especially those covered by Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Toto, nine years old, of Brgy. Capoyuan, was very happy when he received a toy.

Despite he was born with cerebral palsy disorder but his mother Marlyn Osia is patiently sending him to school everyday. Toto is now a grade two pupil.

According to him, he wants to be a police officer when he grow up to secure the people..

Anteza said apart from giving toys, 10 Pantawid trainees under the DSWD Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) also offered their free massage services to interested beneficiaries.

A total of 40 trainees who availed the training in Antique had already graduated from the program and now working at the most renowned Island of Boracay in Aklan.

Trainee Marlon Gongco, 19, of Brgy. Poblacion, said he wants also to work in Boracay or anywhere else when there is an opportunity so that he could help his parents and six siblings in their daily needs.//dswd.6/Montesa Grino-Caoyonan.