CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Community pantries with things that nurture the mind, rather than the body as prime commodities have spread far and wide through this capital city, to the delight of students and their parents.
Launched In time for the first day of the city schools division’s Brigada Eskwela last Aug. 18, Project NEST (Nurturing Environment and System for Thriving): Education Community Pantry, has thus far reached 27 public schools in the city.
“Ang pangangailangan ng mga bata at magulang sa aspeto ng edukasyon ay hindi natatapos. Kailangan ay tuloy-tuloy ang access nila dito kaya ang implementasyon ng ating programa, magagawa siya sa buong school year,” shared David Zab Jimenez, education consultant of the city government, who established the said project.
“Sa proyektong ito, maaaring magbigay at humingi ang isang magulang, bata, o guardian ng tangible at intangible na education needs,” he added.
Included in the tangible items available at the pantries are school supplies and learning materials while services, including tutoring, counseling, parenting tips, among others, comprise the intangible category.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to join the NEST Education Community Pantry of the school in their barangay by communicating with the school head or the student’s teachers.
They may also visit the school, barangay, or their respective sangguniang kabataan offices to drop their letters or forms containing their request for supplies or services.
On the other hand, individuals or groups may also physically drop their tangible donations or relay their interests to serve through the school or barangay offices within their area.
One of the 27 schools with an established pantry was the Panipuan Elementary School in the northern part of the city. Distribution of the donations started on Sept. 14, in time for the first week of classes for School Year 2021-2022.
“Napakaganda na mayroong ‘spirit of sharing’ ngayong panahon ng pandemiya dahil maraming mga pamilya ang nangangailangan ng karagdagang kagamitan o tulong sa edukasyon. Kami sa sektor ng edukasyon, sinisiguro sa ating mga donors at benefactors na mapupunta sa mga nangangailangan itong mga tulong nila,” said Maria Luz Dacoco, school principal.
Dacoco said the donations were from different individuals or groups that include common folks, local officials, and the business community.
As of this writing, schools with the Education Community Pantry include: (a) Integrated Schools – Baliti, Calulut, Del Carmen, Nuestra Señora Del Pilar, Dolores, Lara, Magliman, St. Vincent of Quebiawan, San Agustin (Main and Annex), Archbishop Emilio Cinense Memorial (San Felipe), San Isidro, San Jose Panlumancan, City of San Fernando West (San Juan), San Pedro, Sta. Lucia, San Pablo, and Telabastagan; (b) Elementary Schools – Northville, Dela Paz Norte, Dela Paz Sur, San Jose Juliana, Panipuan, San Juan South, Sindalan, Sto. Niño, and Pampanga High School (Sta. Teresita).
With Education at the top of the 10-Point Agenda of Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, the city has, from the onset of the pandemic up to now, assured access to quality education among the parents and students, through the efficient utilization of the Special Education Fund and the welcoming of individuals and groups who serve as the city’s benefactors.
