Tuguegarao, Cagayan — Monsanto recently donated 600 copies of its widely distributed children’s book titled “Lina’s Town Rises Again” to the six established municipal libraries in Cagayan Province for their planned read-along activities. Monsanto’s children’s book won an Anvil Award for the publication category in 2016 and is the first published children’s book on biotech corn written specifically for elementary school children to develop a basic understanding of the impact of biotech corn in social, economic and environmental terms.
“We are always appreciative and supportive of the earnest efforts of librarians al over the country to encourage children to visit libraries by sponsoring activities such as read-alongs, tutorials, seminars and workshops., said Monsanto’s Corporate Affairs Head Chat Garrido-Ocampo. “Spending time at the library keeps our children off the street and away from bad influence and all sorts of detrimental activities.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Michael Pinto, Director of the Provincial Learning and Resource Center (PLRC) and President of the Association of Librarians in the Public Sector (ALPS) who witnessed the turn-over of books said he was pleased to support the coordination between Monsanto and Cagayan’s public libraries to conduct meaningful activities for children. “Many libraries have become very innovative to encourage children to spend time at libraries where they can learn and study. It’s a more productive way of spending their vacant time and keeps them away from bad company,” added Pinto.
Pinto also shared that “we need to develop the habit of reading amongst our kids.” He stressed that ‘rather than having our kids spend time playing computer games, they will benefit a whole lot more by reading which will help widen their knowledge, develop their vocabulary and improve their personality. The possible gain for our children when they read good material is tremendous.”
Cagayan Province will serve as host for this year’s national conference of public librarians on June 20-23 with the theme Public Libraries: Rebuilding, Redefining, Rebranding. Some 200 librarians all over the country are expected to attend. #
