DUMAGUETE CITY – Indigent children in conflict-affected areas in Negros Oriental will have their wishes come true this Christmas during the annual gift-giving activity of peace advocates in December.
Now in its 14th year, the ONCAN (Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network) Wish Upon A Star, will benefit at least 150 children from five barangays in Siaton and Santa Catalina towns,.
Arabe, co-founder of Bayanihan Para sa Kabataan (BPK)-Negros Oriental, the organizing group of the gift-giving activity, said on Thursday the beneficiaries will come from the remote barangays of Casala-an, Tayak, and Napacao in Siaton and Milagrosa and Nagbinlod in Santa Catalina.
The 11th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army identified these barangays. It will also locate the children, aged 8 to 11, and provide the information needed for the activity.
The ONCAN Wish Upon A Star activity features a Christmas tree where stars are hung and sponsors will pick from them and make a child’s wish come true.
The gift-giving activity, which includes a meet-and-greet with the sponsors, is set for Dec. 13 at the Perdices Coliseum lobby in this capital. (PNA)