La Union board OKs Sapatos Project ordinance

March 24, 2019 Provincial

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — P500,000.00 was initially appropriated from the General Fund of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) to finance the ordinance known as the La Union educational assistance to the poor and underprivileged learners from public elementary school by providing them shoes through the “Sapatos Project.”
S a n g g u n i a n g Panlalawigan Member Geraldine “Denny” R. Ortega said the majority of school-aged children in the Province of La Union go to school without wearing any shoes. She said it is the thrust of the PGLU to provide the basic needs of the impoverished sectors of the community and facilitate efforts to promote the welfare of the families below the poverty line.
“While La Union is not impoverished, there are still families who are below the poverty line. That is why there is a need to initiate projects like this so that we can assure that they reach their goals in life,” Ortega said.
“It’s not just purely giving away shoes. My mission is to inspire them, to motivate them, that poverty is not a hindrance for achieving a brighter future,” Ortega added.
The ordinance aimed to give pair of shoes to learners from grades one to six enrolled in public schools in the province. It will not only preserve their safety and ease their discomfort but will also give every student an equal opportunity to reach their highest potential and increase their confidence in school.
This is also to decrease their vulnerability to soil transmitted diseases and parasites that can cause illness and even death. An applicant may fill up the form to be provided and submit a copy of the family Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) ID; and certification from the concerned school principal/head that the applicant is enrolled in the school.
The said project is hoped to be implemented upon its publication and compliance to the requirements under the Local Government Code.
 
Rafael C. Mosuela, SP-GPC/ABN