A marching band and freshly picked anthurium flowers welcomed Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro as she joined Dalaguete's learners for a school supplies distribution on Monday, October 19.
The distribution was held at Mantalongon Elementary School for Dalaguete District I and Casay Elementary School for District II. It covered 9,753 kindergarten and elementary pupils, providing classroom essentials that can be difficult for some families to afford.
Who received what
The beneficiaries were:
Kindergarten: 1,002
Grade 1: 1,271
Grade 2: 1,168
Grade 3: 1,407
Grade 4: 1,644
Grade 5: 1,610
Grade 6: 1,651
Learners in Grades 4 to 6 received tumblers, plastic envelopes, pad paper, notebooks, ballpens, rulers, protractors, and pencil bags. Younger pupils received school bags containing pencil boxes, crayons, pencils, erasers, rulers, notebooks, pad paper, and tumblers.
Addressing the children, Gov. Baricuatro explained the purpose behind the Capitol's efforts.
"Kabalo mo nganong naningkamot mi og maayo sa Kapitolyo? Naningkamot mi para sa inyong kaugmaon. You are the future of Cebu Province," she said.
She encouraged the pupils to listen to their teachers, study hard, and remain kind.
Support for learners and their families
Grade 5 teacher Mary Abregana said the assistance would help children whose families struggle to purchase enough notebooks, bags, and other supplies, particularly farming households whose incomes have suffered during dry conditions.
She also welcomed the provision of tumblers, noting that some children bring their drinking water in reused disposable bottles. For teachers, she said, seeing pupils receive the supplies they need was a source of happiness.
Both Mantalongon Elementary School and Casay Elementary School also received 100 plastic armchairs each, providing 200 additional seats between the two schools.
Grade 11 student Rhian Joy Carizon expressed her gratitude for the chairs, saying they would help make studying more comfortable.
More education support to follow
Provincial Board Member Raymond Calderon, chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education, announced that school supplies for Grade 7 through senior high school learners would follow.
He also reported that a two-story, four-classroom school building funded by Gov. Baricuatro in Dalaguete is undergoing procurement, while construction of temporary learning spaces has already begun.
"All these are a testament of the Governor's resolve and commitment na i-prioritize gyud niya ang program for education because ang iyang kasing-kasing naa gyud sa atong mga learners," Calderon said.
Also present were Second District Provincial Board Member Dr. Stanley Caminero, Dalaguete Mayor Bembie Tambis, Association of Barangay Councils President Bobby Tambis, other municipal officials, and teachers from various schools in the municipality.
Quick Summary
What: School supplies distribution for 9,753 kindergarten and elementary pupils, plus 100 plastic armchairs each for two schools
Where: Mantalongon Elementary School (District I) and Casay Elementary School (District II), Dalaguete, Cebu
When: Monday, October 19
Impact on Visayas: Helps Dalaguete learners and families, with supplies for Grade 7 to senior high, a four-classroom building, and temporary learning spaces to follow
Source: Pam Baricuatro – The People's Governor (Facebook page)