A total of 975 indigent students from various districts of Manila were awarded financial assistance by the city government to help them with their educational expenses.
The distribution of said funds at the Dakota Covered Court in Malate, Manila and amounting to about P4.5 million, was led by Mayor Honey Lacuna, along with Vice Mayor Yul Servo and Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Re Fugoso. Each of the students received P5,000 cash in educational assistance which, according to Fugoso, is meant to augment family expenses for school needs such as “baon,” uniform, school supplies and shoes and materials for school projects, among others.
In her brief message to the recipients, Lacuna said that the cash aid which is line with the city’s educational assistance program, is being given to the most needy students of the city to help them with their daily expenses, specially with the nearing face-to-face classes.
“Alam ko hindi ito sapat pero kahit papaano ay mayroon kayong mabubunot para mabawasan kahit paano anginyong mga gastusin,” the lady mayor said.
Those who received the cash allowance were students from Districts 1, 2, 4, 5 and Baseco, with an assurance from Lacuna that those from the other remaining districts will follow suit soon.
“So, ang bilin ko, mag-aral po kayong mabuti. ‘Wag nag-aantay ng announcement na ‘no classes’ dahil may kaunting ulan. Tutal mahigit three years na kayong di napasok,” the mayor told the students present.
To the parents who were also around during the event, Lacuna called on them to use the little help for the education of their children.
“Sa mga magulang, sana, ang kaunting tulong ay magamit naman po ninyo sa pag-aaral ng inyong mga anak. Gamitin natin sa wastong paraan.. ito po ay aming pagpapakita at pagpaparamdam na mahal na mahal po naming ang bawat batang Maynilang mag-aaral,” said Lacuna.
According to Fugoso, the recipients were indigent children enrolled in public schools both in the elementary and high school and children in need of special protection (CNSP). (Baby Cuevas)
