Lala, Lanao del Norte – As part of Allied Bank’s corporate social responsibility program, pupils from Sapad Elementary School, in Brgy. Poblacion, Sapad, Lanao del Norte received brand new books last July 12, 2011.

Dubbed as ‘Books Across the Seas’ project, the books were given by donor countries from different corners of the globe.

Instrumental in bringing the project to the interior town of Sapad are soldiers from 35th Infantry (Makamandag) Battalion who nominated the school as one of the recipients of the project.

''I would like to thank the Army soldiers for nominating my school to be a recipient of the books from Allied Bank. Now, the children will be very happy because they have now new books to make learning more interesting," Assistant School Head Editha Dela Cruz said.

1Lt. Francis Damian of Charlie (Mabangis) Company, stationed in the municipality assisted Branch Manager Roque Gumapak of Allied Bank-Maranding in turning over the books to the beneficiary-school.

"The Army soldiers under the 35th IB are very keen on finding projects to benefit the constituents of Lanao del Norte.  Kudos to the officers and men of the unit", Gumapak remarked.