BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) through its Municipal Library came up with a unique and different way to invite children and teenagers to get interested in reading books.
Dubbed “2019 Reading Challenge”, participants have to read a book they borrowed from the Bontoc Municipal Library for a minimum of 20 minutes daily from November 5, 2019, to December 6, 2019.
According to Librarian Chamreine Casiwen, the “2019 Reading Challenge” is open to five to 12 years old for the Children Category and 13 to 19 years old for the Teens Category.
Casiwen said that the registration is free but participants shall pay an annual borrower’s fee of P30.00 at the Municipal Treasury Office and present the Official Receipt at the Municipal Library upon registration. For children ages five to 12, they must be accompanied by their parent/guardian in the registration.
She explained that under the Children Category, the parents/guardians shall monitor the daily reading challenge of their child through the reading log sheet which will be provided upon registration. For the Teens Category, the school librarian shall monitor the reading challenge of the participants.
Casiwen added that every week that the reading log sheet has been filled out, the participants will get one star punched on their punch card at the Bontoc Municipal Library.
Participants who will earn five stars from reading the books they borrowed shall be given a Certificate of Completion and gift certificates sponsored by the business sectors in Bontoc.
Aside from the gift certificates, 10 copies of the book, “Bontoc and its Barangays” authored by Florence Chaokas shall be raffled to be given to the five-star earners.
The activity is part of the annual observance of the Library and Information Services (LIS) Month every November pursuant to Proclamation No. 837, s.1991 in recognition of the need to focus public awareness on the invaluable service that libraries and information centers render.
With this year’s theme “Inclusive Innovative Interconnected”, the “2019 Reading Challenge” to be spearheaded by the Bontoc LGU through its Bontoc Municipal Library is in coordination with Department of Education – Mountain Province Schools Division Office (DepEd MPSDO), Learning Resource Management Services (LRMS), Mountain Province General Comprehensive High School (MPGCHS) Library, Saint Vincent’s School (SVS) Library and the Bontoc business sector.
Business sectors who pledged to sponsor the gift certificates are Infinitea, Tchayapan Hotel and Restaurant, Urbanitea, The Terrace, Kamfili’s Café, Cuppa Joy Tea Shop, Tea Corner, Anayah’s , Jegala Resto, Bontoc Bed and Bistro, Kath Sumcad Photo Factory and Gallery Shop, JJF Snackhaus, Florma’s Foodhaus and Bakeshop, Unlimited Brew, Tribeline Café, Odchayak’s Snack Hauz, Ummibayan Food Haus, Jubilee Store, Teacup, Tea’ssence, Snack n Sip and Giggle Mug Café , Café Tagtag and Drop By Restaurant.
Interested individuals who wish to be part of the “2019 Reading Challenge” may visit and register before October 31, 2019, at the Bontoc Municipal Library, located on the 3rd Floor, Bontoc Municipal Capitol. It is open from Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
By Alpine L. Killa
