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In the bag: Gratitude for 'Bag sang Kaalam'

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) -- A total of 20,927 kindergarten to Grade 6 pupils in Capiz were all smiles after they received school bags filled with notebooks, paper, crayons, pencils, and other supplies from the Department of Education and the city government of Roxas City. 

The distribution of school supplies is part of the Bag sang Kaalam program of the DepEd and the Roxas city government.

Kimberly Andeo, a 27-year-old fish vendor in Barangay Talipapa, said that two of her children from Sofronio A. Cordovero Integrated School received the bags so she is beyond grateful now that her children are ready for the next school.

Pupils celebrate as they each receive a "Bag sang Kaalam" during the simultaneous distribution among schools in Roxas City. (Photo courtesy of Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas Facebook page)

Andeo also shared that despite the hardships in life, both of her children are constant academic awardees in their school, especially her firstborn.

“Bilang isa ka fish vendor, sing ano man lang ang makita ko sa isa ka adalaw. Kada magbukas ang klase halos kulang gid permi ang gamit sang akon mga bata. Subong nga nakabaton sila sang bag, dako gid akon pasalamat kay gamay nalang gid ang akon idugang nga gamit nila,” she added.

(As a fish vendor, I only have a meager daily income. Every opening of classes, my children’s school supplies were always lacking. That is why I am grateful for the bags because I will only add a few to complete their school needs)


Lemra Unarse, a 24-year-old housewife, also expressed her gratitude because aside from her two children, some of her nieces and nephews also received school supplies.

“Ang akon partner nagabiyahe sa tricycle kag kung kaisa ga extra siya pangtapas sang mais sa banwa sang Maayon, amo na nga dako gid ini nga bulig sa amon kay mahal na subong ang mga notebook kag papel. Imbes ibakal namon sang ila papel, amon nalang ibakal sang amon sud-an kag balon sang mga bata ,” Unarse stated.

(My partner is a tricycle driver and sometimes he also works extra for cutting corn in Maayon town, that is why it is really a big help for us especially with the increasing prices of notebooks and papers. We will rather spend our money for food instead of buying their school supplies)

Unarse shared that her children were excited when they heard the news that they will get school supplies.

“Pagkabalo sang akon bata nga i-release ang bag, natulog sila temprano kay gusto nila nga magbugtaw temprano kay basi ma-late sila,” she added. 

(When my children found out that their bags would be rereleased, they went to bed early so they wouldn't be late)

Samantha Rae Villagracia, an officer of the supreme elementary learner government and a Grade 5 student of Doña Vicenta P. Hontiveros Memorial School, also shared her message of gratitude to the authorities during the bag distribution in her school.

A student happily carries a school bag with notebooks, paper, crayons, pencils, and other school supplies during the "Bag sang Kaalam" distribution in Roxas City. (Photo courtesy of Roxas City mayor Ronnie Dadivas Facebook page)

“On behalf of the Doña Vicenta P. Hontiveros Memorial School pupils, I would like to thank the Roxas City government and mayor Ronnie Dadivas for giving the bags sang kalam. We are very grateful for providing us these bags and school supplies to help us in our studies,” said Villagracia.

Roxas City Mayor Ronnie Dadivas led the distribution to the students from 41 public elementary schools in Roxas City.

“Wala sang sudlan ang kalipay nga aton nabatyagan sang aton nasaksihan ang matam-is nga yuhom sang linibo ka kabataan nga naga-udyak sa kalipay sang ila mabaton ang bag-o nga bag sang kalam,” Dadivas said.

(My happiness cannot be contained when I witnessed the sweet smiles of thousands of youth who were able to receive the new bag sang kaalam) (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)

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Pia Lorraine Francisco

Information Officer

Region 6

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