The recent round of financial assistance given out by the local government of San Pedro City, Laguna to its public-school teachers is more than simply a dole-out.
These are a form of reward for having completed their studies – and an incentive for them to push through their dreams.
That was how the local government view its Tulong Pinansyal Para sa mga Mag-aaral na Magsisipagtapos that it distributed to over 6,037 graduating students from August 4 to 5.
The program, which was started by Mayor Art Mercado in 2023, is just one of the city government's initiatives to help San Pedro’s students complete their studies.
These programs include the expansion of the Iskolar ng Lungsod ng San Pedro (ILSP) program and the distribution of free school supplies and uniforms for all elementary and high school students in the city.
"Reward na rin po ito ni Mayor Art Mercado sa ating mga nagsipagtapos na estudyante, bilang pagkilala sa hirap at sakripisyo nila at ng kanilang mga magulang upang maipagtapos nila ang kanilang pag-aaral,” City Education and Development Officer Jimbo Ambayec had explained in a 2023 interview with OpinYon Laguna.
The program covers all graduating students who are bona fide residents of San Pedro City, regardless of whether they studied inside or outside of the city.
Each elementary and senior high school student received P1,000, while graduating college students received P1,500.
This year, the San Pedro City LGU gave cash assistance to over 6,037 graduating students – 1,701 elementary school students, 2,838 senior high school students, and 1,498 college students. (The payout of financial assistance for college students, originally slated on August 6, was postponed due to bad weather caused by tropical depression “Maymay.”)
A big help
For Ani, a mother of a graduating Grade 6 student from Barangay Pacita 2, the P1,000 her child received through the program will aid her as she prepares for high school.
“Masaya po ako kasi pang-dagdag po ito na pang-bili rin ng school supplies. Lalo na’t magha-high school ang anak ko, mas dumami yung kailangan ng bata,” she told OpinYon Laguna.
Of course, this year Ani and other parents of graduating students in San Pedro City have little to worry about preparing for their children’s next chapter of school life.
Last July, the Mercado administration concluded the distribution of free uniforms for public-school students in San Pedro City.
As promised by Mercado himself, this year's supplies included additional equipment such as rubber shoes and umbrellas.
“Malaking tulong kasi kahit pa paano nabawasan yung gastos namin sa pambili ng mga school supplies. Tapos sa uniform, wala na kaming binili. Pati sapatos na rubber shoes, hindi na rin kami gumastos,” Ani enthused.
(Photo by Catherine Go)
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