The Navotas City Government has started giving Balik Eskwela bags and school supplies to 7,000 daycare and Grade 1 pupils.
In a speech, Mayor John Rey Tiangco emphasized the need for children to attend school and advised parents to be mindful of their children’s health and wellness.
“Education is crucial for our children to achieve their potential and be able to succeed in life. Let us persevere to keep them in school and encourage other parents to let their kids get the quality education they deserve,” said Tiangco.
“At the same time, let us make an effort to ingrain in our children the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by letting them sleep at least 12 hours a day and keeping them away from junk food,” he added.
Also present during the distribution were Vice Mayor Clint Geronimo and Councilors EJ Arriola-Mejia, Alvin Nazal, Richard San Juan, Ricky Gino-gino, Neil Cruz, and Don de Guzman, Jr., and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jodile Cañete.
Prior to Balik Eskwela, Arriola-Mejia also handed out bags and school supplies to some Grade 6 and Grade 12 students in the 10 public elementary and secondary schools in District 1.
The students have been beneficiaries of the back-to-school program of the councilor and her fellow San Beda Law alumni in the last five years.
Geronimo launched the Knowledge Truck (K-Truck) and Vice Clint’s Book Club at Bagumbayan Elementary School.
The K-Truck is a mobile library intended to promote the love of reading and learning for grade school and high school students. It is expected to travel around Navotas and hold scheduled stopover at different public schools.