First, it was free school supplies. Then, free school uniforms.
As preparations for the resumption of classes this June get into high gear, the one question San Pedrense students and parents alike are asking: what will the city government provide this year?
Last June 3, San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado finally shared the good news.
In an exclusive interview with OpinYon Laguna, Mercado not only assured that one of his landmark programs to assist San Pedrense students will continue, but that this year, the city government is set to distribute additional equipment for students.
“This year, all our public-school students will receive free rubber shoes, uniforms, and umbrellas,” was how Mercado put it simply at the sidelines of the regional opening of the Brigada Eskwela at Pacita Complex 1 Elementary School.
Teachers, too
Aside from this, the city executive added, public school teachers in San Pedro City will also receive free laptop computers – a welcome relief for teachers who have to deal with coping with both the evolving trends in education and the issue of keeping young students eager to learn in the era of social media and artificial intelligence.
According to Mercado, the decision to provide all public school teachers in the city with free laptops is part of the city government’s expanded program to improve its education sector, especially as reports cite an alarming decline in Filipino students’ reading and critical thinking skills.
“Dati po kasi, ang karaniwan po nating binibigyang-halaga ay ang ating minamahal na mga estudyante,” he explained, referring to the free school supplies and uniforms program that he started when he first took office in 2022.
“Pero ngayon po kasi, napakahirap rin po ng trabaho ng ating mga guro sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtuturo sa ating mga estudyante.
“Ito pong pamamahagi natin ng mga laptop para sa kanila ay isang paraan upang ma-appreciate natin ang kanilang mga sakripisyo. At alam natin na magagamit nila ang mga ito nang maayos.”
Brigada Eskwela kickoff
Mercado also joined officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) led by Dr. Carlito Rocafort, DepEd Calabarzon Regional Director, and Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino at the regional kickoff of DepEd’s “Brigada Eskwela” program.
In his speech during the event, Mercado highlighted how the yearly activity serves to rekindle the bayanihan spirit among education stakeholders, local officials, teachers, parents and students in improving the country’s education sector.
“Ang pamahalang lungsod ng San Pedro ay nananatiling matatag na katuwang ng Department of Education sa pagpapatupad ng mga programang magpapalawak ng oportunidad at magpapataas ng kalidad ng edukasyon para sa ating mamamayan. Naniniwala tayo na ang pamunuan sa edukasyon ay pamumuhunan sa kinabukasan ng ating lungsod at ating bansa,” he emphasized.
“Habang tayo ay naghahanda para sa panibagong school year, naway lalo nating pagtibayin ang ating pangako na lumikha ng mga paaralang ligtas, maayos at nagbibigay at nagbibigay-inspirasyon sa bawat batang Pilipino. At sa pamabagitan ng sama-samang pagkilos at pagtutulungan, maisisiguro natin ang bawat mag-aaral ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap at buong potensyal.”
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