ILOILO City – Eighty-seven elementary and high school students received educational assistance from the city government.
Each of the beneficiaries were given a P1,700 allowance that will cover the first quarter of the year.
Nineteen beneficiaries were from Arevalo district; 14 each from Jaro, La Paz and Lapuz, Molo, and Mandurriao; and 12 from City Proper.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Gene Garingalo and Focal Person for Youth Merlyn Gison led the aid distribution at the City Social Welfare and Development Office gym on Wednesday.
“As early as now you must realize how valuable education is,” said Espinosa. “It will be your key in achieving something which can change your life in the future.”
“Study harder, be responsible students, practice everything you have learned in school, and someday prove to the world that poverty is never a hindrance to success,” he added.
Jean Aubrey Garin, a Grade 11 student of Iloilo City National High School, thanked the city government for the help.
“I started receiving educational aid when I was in Grade 6,” Garin said, adding that she has been relying on the assistance for her daily allowance for five years already.
KCA Rodriguez, Grade 6 pupil at A. Montes Elementary School, said she uses the amount for her school activities and projects.
“This opportunity means a lot to me since my parents have a limited source of income,” Rodriguez said. “With the financial help, I don’t have to ask money from them for school.”
Gison said the initiative, which is part of city hall’s “community-based street children program,” will increase the chances of students to continue their education despite financial issues.
“The initiative gives our scholars resources to pay for miscellaneous fees and other school projects,” she said.
“Because of this, there will be more reasons for them to focus on their studies. We will continue to support them until they finish college,” she added. (Thessalonia Ordales, Iloilo City PIO/PN)
