DAVAO CITY – Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Rep. Harold Duterte celebrated his birth anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 10, by sending school supplies and food packs to 300 children from fisherfolk communities and a tribal village in the Davao region.

The assistance reached coastal areas of Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and Barangay Bucana, as well as the upland tribal community of Lawi-lawi in Marilog District, this city, areas Duterte described as central to his public service mandate.

Although congressional duties prevented him from personally distributing the items, Duterte ensured his message of gratitude and commitment accompanied the packages, which included notebooks, pencils, crayons, school bags, and food staples.

“I promised to serve the fishery sector and intend to keep that promise. I want them to feel they are part of every personal milestone in my life. Every success I have is theirs too,” Duterte said.

The arrival of aid drew smiles and surprise on recipients based on photographs. Mothers watched their children clutch new school bags along the shoreline with excitement.

In Marilog, tribal elders thanked Duterte for the supplies, which they said would help ease their children’s educational challenges due to distance and limited resources.

According to fishermen from Santa Cruz, these would greatly help their children, but stressed that long-term solutions were still needed.

Duterte added that fishermen are looking forward to the partylist passing laws securing the livelihood and dignity of the fishing sector.

Beneficiaries said the gesture was more than material aid.

They said it was a sign of renewed connection, a fulfillment of promises, and a reminder that in the far-flung edges of the country, someone in government still remembers their names, struggles, and aspirations.