ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) — A total of 1,348 parents and guardians of senior high school students on Romblon province received financial aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tulong Eskwela Program through its Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP).
Of the total beneficiaries, 955 are parents and guardians of students in Odiongan National High School in Odiongan town and 393 in Calatrava National High School in Calatrava town. Each parent or guardian received P3,000 financial assistance, September 5.
The program, implemented through DSWD’s AKAP and facilitated by Romblon Lone District Representative Eleandro Madrona, aimed to provide financial support to families of senior high students.
According to Abegail Fetilo, Social Welfare and Development Team Leader in Romblon, through the congressional fund of Madrona, the DSWD will distribute about ₱9 million in cash aid to 3,000 parents and guardians of senior high students in different towns in Romblon.
“Through prioritization, our government is gradually addressing their needs. We are experiencing economic crises, like inflation, but we feel the government’s presence because they are here,” said Fetilo.
Meanwhile, Madrona encouraged parents to continue supporting their children to complete senior high school.
“Sana itawid ninyo ang pangangailangan ng inyong mga anak nang sa ganun malagpasan nila ang senior high school at sila naman next time ay magiging sa kolehiyo na para mas malapit na ‘yung pangarap natin,” Madrona said.
He added that while education is free, there are miscellaneous expenses needed to support the students.
During the nationwide launch of the Tulong Eskwela Program last week, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said that the program is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his July 2024 State of the Nation Address. (PJJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)
