READING books is a habit that benefits our lives by improving our knowledge to a large extent, helping us relax and become more confident in communication.
That is why Mayor Samuel Co takes reading books not only as an opportunity to gain vast knowledge but also as aid to people, especially students, in expanding their horizons, boost their vocabulary and improve writing skills
What is more appreciative is when somebody has the heart to donate books for people to read, just like 100 hundred different volumes donated recently by Antonia Jerez-Susi, a philanthropist.
The 82-year old benefactor is a former administrator of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) in Pagadian City.
Co received the volumes of books donated by Susi last Nov. 13 and had these dispatched at the Pagadian City Library (PCL) located near the City Hall.
Citing the need to equip the city library with abundant books in order to encourage reading habits among people and children, Co urged book collectors who want to get rid of their compilation to just donate these to the library.
The mayor added that the city library has ample space reserved for more volumes of books, whether paperback or hardback, magazines and any reference material.
For her part, Susi said that she has been reading and collecting books for almost 30 years already and believes that her access on books enhanced her learning and knowledge.
She hopes that her good deed will inspire others to do the same, saying books expand one’s knowledge and awareness of the world of literature, enrich views of someone just by reading about their life and what they have achieved in it.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Asia Foundation's Books for Asia Program are just two of the internationally known organizations that distribute books and journals to public and private institutions across the country.
Locally, there are also other associations that willingly donate books to public libraries like the SM Foundation’s Donate-A-Book project and La Salle Philippines Alumni Association.
CHARNYL ALBARRACIN & MICHAEL MEDINA