Teachers play a big role in educating the children of today by preparing them for tomorrow. They give their time and effort in teaching the learners in the different fields and intelligences, but how are they going to perform their roles and duties as an educator in a difficult time like this?
The order of an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) on March 17, 2020, by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in the entire island of Luzon due to the threat of the COVID19 Pandemic affected not only the lives of the people but also the different activities and programs of our schools.
Like any other School Heads and Principals, Ma. Lourdes G. Pulanco, Head Teacher III of Eulogio Clarence M. De Guzman Jr. Elementary School (ECMDGJr.E/S) of Pagadalagan Sur, Bauang,
Division of La Union, need to follow orders from the President through the Executive Order made and through the directive and guidelines set by the Department of Education for school programs and activities.
“I asked myself, “Dagidiay ubbingmi ngata ngay?” What about our learners in ECMDG JR ES?” A question that struck the mind of Pulanco telling her that she needs to do something to help the children of her school.
Pulanco with her family began to buy from the local farmers’ produce in Santiago, Bauang, La Union such as eggplants, corn, bananas and guapples (an improved variety of guava grown in Bauang) and started sending it out to their learners especially those from the “riles” where majority of their least privileged learners reside.
ECMDG JR E/S took the initiative of helping the learners of their school into a real deal as they initiated a simple relief operation and decided to cater first the needs of the 54 learner-recipients of their School-Based Feeding Program (SBFP).
Some 100 relief packs with rice, noodles and canned goods were prepared after receiving the pledges and donations of the people whom Pulanco and the members of the faculty contacted and the relief packs were immediately distributed to the SBFP recipients.
Donations poured in like “manna” from heaven after Pulanco decided to give relief packs to the 291 enrolled learners of ECMDGJr.E/S from the the donations received: two cavans of rice donated by the family of Supreme Pupil Government President, Gabriel Enrique F. Sotto III; two cavans of rice from Sangguniang Bayan Member of Bauang, Gabriel Sotto; one cavan of rice from Joan Lloren, Pulanco’s cousin; and four cavans of rice from the former Mayor of Tubao, La Union Dante Garcia.
Upon knowing that all the learners and teachers of ECMDG JR E/S were able to receive the goods, she also shared the rest with her neighbors through the help of the Sangguniang Kabataan officers and Barangay Officials.
“I am glad that I was able to help even in my own little ways. I hope that I can reach out to more families and so with great love and concern. I will continue to knock on the hearts of our generous donors and loving stakeholders and benefactors of our school,” said Pulanco in her thank you message.
By Ryan F. Gapuz
