By Raymund Antonio
The Office of the Vice President and one of its partner organizations turned over a two-classroom school building to Batang Batang Elementary School in Tarlac as part of the Angat Buhay program.
(PIA Tarlac / MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice President Leni Robredo led the turnover of the two-classroom building for 54 kindergarten and grade 1 students during her visit on Wednesday in Victoria, Tarlac.
The school building given to the public school was sponsored by Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, a key partner of Robredo’s office in its flagship anti-poverty program.
The foundation is also set to provide school materials and training to teachers at the Batang Batang Elementary School.
In her speech, Robredo underscored the importance of helping public schools in the learning needs of its students for them to finish their education and fulfill their dreams.
“Sa gitna ng maraming pagsubok na pinagdadaanan ng ating bansa, sa gitna ng maraming kahirapan, sama-sama pa rin tayong nangangarap, sama-sama pa rin tayong nagtutulungan na iyong mga susunod sa atin na mga kabataan ngayon, mas maging magaan iyong buhay,” she said.
(Amid the struggles of our country, many hardships, we still dream together and help each other that the youth next to us will have better lives.)
“Iyong pangarap ng bawat magulang na iyong kaniyang mga anak mas maging mabuti iyong buhay kaysa sa kaniya. Kaya iyong pagbigay po ng classrooms, kasabay noong pangarap na iyon,” she added.
(The dream of every parent to his/her child is to have a better life than his/hers. So providing the classrooms, it is part of that dream.)
Given its low budget, the OVP does not fully subsidize Angat Buhay. Instead, Robredo’s office links communities in need with organizations, corporations, and individuals who want to help them.
The OVP has reached more than 155,000 Filipino families in 176 poor communities around the country under its antipoverty program.