BALANGA CITY – The city government in coordination with the Division of City Schools held the other day its first-ever Education Summit to seek the commitment of parents and know their concerns in the proper education of children.
City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III said more than 2,500 parents, mostly members of the Parents-Teachers Community Association in public schools in 25 barangays, attended the meeting. A seminar on the role/commitment of either the father or mother was first conducted before the induction of PTCA officers.
“We asked the assurance of parents to ensure that their children will finish their studies in line with the “University Town” program of the city government,” Mayor Joet as the mayor is fondly called said.
The city under Garcia has launched a scholarship program that initially benefited 2,000 students. The city government also shoulders payment of miscellaneous fees of pupils in all public elementary schools, lessening the financial burden of parents.
The parents promised to give enough time for the proper schooling of their children and to pay required city taxes, part of which goes to the School Education Fund. “The Education Summit made the close relatives of school children more aware of their role in school and the community,” Garcia said.
Repeatedly cropping up during the discussions are computer games, the internet and cellphones as among those causing hindrance in the schooling of children.
“Kaya kailangan ang masusi at matiyagang pagtutok ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak upang kung ano man ang hadlang sa kanilang pagtatapos ng pag-aaral ay mabigyan ng lunas,” the city mayor said.
To help indigents, Garcia and the sangguniang panlungsod set aside a P5-million fund for donations in terms of social services like medical and burial expenses. The city entered into a memorandum of agreement with Funeraria Martinez that will provide P8,500-worth of funeral service to poor people.
The scheme calls for a free coffin and a free service vehicle during the interment or the family may avail of a cash burial assistance of P3,000.
The city government has also issued 4,000 out of its target of 8,000 “Galing Cards” where holders can avail of almost free hospitalization benefits at the Bataan General Hospital.
City Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III said more than 2,500 parents, mostly members of the Parents-Teachers Community Association in public schools in 25 barangays, attended the meeting. A seminar on the role/commitment of either the father or mother was first conducted before the induction of PTCA officers.
“We asked the assurance of parents to ensure that their children will finish their studies in line with the “University Town” program of the city government,” Mayor Joet as the mayor is fondly called said.
The city under Garcia has launched a scholarship program that initially benefited 2,000 students. The city government also shoulders payment of miscellaneous fees of pupils in all public elementary schools, lessening the financial burden of parents.
The parents promised to give enough time for the proper schooling of their children and to pay required city taxes, part of which goes to the School Education Fund. “The Education Summit made the close relatives of school children more aware of their role in school and the community,” Garcia said.
Repeatedly cropping up during the discussions are computer games, the internet and cellphones as among those causing hindrance in the schooling of children.
“Kaya kailangan ang masusi at matiyagang pagtutok ng mga magulang sa kanilang mga anak upang kung ano man ang hadlang sa kanilang pagtatapos ng pag-aaral ay mabigyan ng lunas,” the city mayor said.
To help indigents, Garcia and the sangguniang panlungsod set aside a P5-million fund for donations in terms of social services like medical and burial expenses. The city entered into a memorandum of agreement with Funeraria Martinez that will provide P8,500-worth of funeral service to poor people.
The scheme calls for a free coffin and a free service vehicle during the interment or the family may avail of a cash burial assistance of P3,000.
The city government has also issued 4,000 out of its target of 8,000 “Galing Cards” where holders can avail of almost free hospitalization benefits at the Bataan General Hospital.
