PANTABANGAN, Nueva Ecija (PIA) — Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara led the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) school feeding and literacy initiatives in Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, reinforcing government efforts to improve learner nutrition and reading proficiency.
On Monday, June 29, Angara spearheaded the Supplemental Feeding Program at the Pantabangan National Child Development Center in Barangay Villarica, where 37 enrolled learners received hot meals as part of the department’s preparations for Nutrition Month in July.
“Sa bilin ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos, sinisikap nating palawakin ang supplemental feeding program para masiguro na may sapat na nutrisyon ang bawat mag-aaral habang sila ay nag-aaral. Ang malusog na pangangatawan ang pundasyon ng ating mga reporma dahil alam natin na mahirap mag-aral at mag-focus kapag nagugutom ang bata,” he said.
(On the instruction of President Bongbong Marcos, we are working to expand the supplemental feeding program to ensure that every learner receives proper nutrition while in school. The foundation of our reforms is good health because we know it is difficult for children to learn and focus when they are hungry.)
The secretary also visited Marikit Integrated School in Barangay Marikit, where he distributed age-appropriate storybooks and school bags containing learning supplies to 193 young learners.
According to DepEd, the storybook distribution forms part of a nationwide literacy campaign that aims to provide reading materials to more than 6.8 million young public school learners and strengthen foundational literacy.
The agency explained that the early literacy initiative focuses on helping children transition from Kindergarten to Grade 3, moving from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”
“Mahalaga ang mga ganitong materyales sa pagbabasa dahil dito nagsisimula ang paghubog ng kritikal na pag-iisip ng ating mga kabataan. Sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa, binibigyan natin sila ng kakayahan na maging malikhain at mapanuri sa kanilang paglaki,” Angara emphasized.
(These reading materials are important because they lay the foundation for developing our children’s critical thinking skills. Through reading, we equip them with the ability to become creative and critical thinkers as they grow.)
DepEd also noted that publishing partners donated reading materials promoting reading comprehension, numeracy, values formation, environmental awareness, and life skills, while the department covered the printing and reproduction costs.
Meanwhile, the school bags and classroom supplies were funded by the Office of the President to support early childhood education.
Angara also met with tutors under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program to assess the implementation of learning recovery initiatives in the school.
DepEd Regional Director Tolentino Aquino said the secretary’s visit boosted the morale of teachers and education personnel by demonstrating the department’s commitment to reaching schools, even in remote communities.
“Ito ay hindi lamang inspirasyon para sa ating mga kawani, bagkus ito ay nagbibigay lakas pa sa kanila na makita nila ang kanilang kalihim ay nakikisalamuha at nagre-reach out kahit gaano kalayo, kahit gaano kahirap ang pagpunta sa isang lugar,“ he said.
(It is not only an inspiration to our personnel, but it also gives them strength to see the secretary personally engaging and reaching out, no matter how far or difficult a place is to reach.)
For her part, DepEd Pantabangan Public Schools District Supervisor Eleanor Aguilar thanked Angara for visiting and expressed hope that it would further strengthen local reading initiatives and bring additional government support to improve learning outcomes.
She also appealed for assistance in rehabilitating aging classrooms to provide learners with a safer and more conducive learning environment.
The Municipal Government of Pantabangan welcomed the education chief’s visit, with Mayor Monaliza Agdipa saying the initiatives would help strengthen the town’s education sector by supporting young learners and addressing their educational needs.
The twin initiatives align with the Marcos administration’s commitment to advancing the education sector by improving learner nutrition, expanding access to quality learning resources, and addressing learning gaps among Filipino students. (CLJD/MAECR, PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)
