In pursuance of providing quality education to the Valenzuelano youths, the City Government of Valenzuela headed by Mayor WES Gatchalian initiated the distribution of school kits to all kindergarten and elementary students of Valenzuela City on August 12.

In its first day, a total of 4,538 kindergarten and elementary students from barangay Gen. T. De Leon, Ugong, Mapulang Lupa, Bagbaguin, Paso De Blas, Parada, Maysan and Karuhatan received their school kits for the incoming school year. Each school kit consists of a backpack containing worktexts, notebooks, pens, pencils and other school supplies. A total of 17,672 students are set to receive school kits from the city government until August 20, 2022.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten the safety of the teachers and students of the city, the City Government continues to extend its effort in controlling and totally eliminating the threat of the pandemic within the city by continuously reminding everyone, especially the parents of the students to always observe safety protocols and to vaccinate their children against COVID-19 prior to the opening of face-to-face classes.

In his message, Mayor WES reiterated his reminders to all parents regarding the vaccination of their children, saying “Hindi lang paghahanda para sa pasukan ang kailangan nating gawin, kailangan din nating ihanda ang sarili nating kalusugan, kaya’t sa mga nanay na mayroon pang mga anak na hindi pa napapabakunahan ng booster, sana ay kunin niyo na ang pagkakataong ito para sila ay pabakunahan bago pa man magpasukan. Huwag po nating pabayaan ang ating kalusugan.” [It’s not just the opening of classes that we should prepare for, we should also prepare our own health, so for the mothers here who have children who are not yet vaccinated with a booster shot against COVID-19, I hope you take this opportunity to get them vaccinated before the classes even begin. Let us not take our health for granted.]

Education 360 Degrees Investment Program Action Officer, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja said “Alam kong excited na ang mga mag-aaral natin na pumasok sa mga paaralan, pero ang hindi ay ‘yung bulsa ng mga magulang natin, but we do hope na sa pamamagitan ng programang pamamahagi natin ng school supplies taon-taon sa mga mag-aaral ay makatulong sa mga magulang na maibsan yung gastos ngayong pasukan. Tandaan ninyo na dito sa Valenzuela City, pagdating sa edukasyon, walang maiiwan.” [I know that all the students here are already excited for the resumption of classes, but the pockets of our parents here are the ones that are not excited, so we do hope that this annual distribution of school supplies to the students would be of ample help to the budget of our parents in preparation for the opening of classes. Remember that here in Valenzuela City, when it comes to education, no one is left behind.]

Joining Mayor WES, Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, and Congressman REX during the distribution of school kits are Valenzuela City - Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Meliton Zurbano, Councilor Mickey Pineda, Councilor Niña Lopez, Councilor Louie Nolasco, Councilor Chiqui Carreon, Councilor Sel Sabino-Sy and other barangay officials.

Education being one of Valenzuela City’s top priority, the City Government will continue pursuing different projects that are congruent with the Education 360 Degrees Investment Program, projects that will enhance the quality of education that the city provides. The City Government believes that education is the basic foundation of the current and future generations to create and sustain an even more developed and progressive Valenzuela City.

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