GMA Kapuso Foundation provides school supplies to kids of farmers, fisherfolk, salt makers in Ilocos Norte

With the opening of classes fast approaching and the continued rise in the cost of basic goods, 2,500 students in Ilocos Norte received complete sets of school supplies from the GMA Kapuso Foundation to help them prepare for the new academic year.

According to “24 Oras” on Friday, the beneficiaries include the children of farmers, fisherfolk, and salt makers from three municipalities in the province.

In Bayog, Ilocos Norte, Alma Acupido works under the scorching sun producing salt to help support her family. She collects seawater, which is left to dry for three to five days before being cooked and processed into salt.

“Mainit tapos mabigat pa 'yung tubig, 'yung per kilo po. Benta namin ng 60 po. May bumibili po sa amin na mga kapitbahay lang po namin,” she said.

Meanwhile, in the town of Badoc, Lydia Marquez relies on garlic farming and trading for her livelihood.

However, the garlic she harvested in March has yet to be sold.

“Nakahanda lang pong pangbenta kung tataas. Mura po dahil marami naman pong pumapasok na galing din sa ibang lugar,” Lydia said.

To help ease the burden on families like Alma’s and Lydia’s ahead of the school year, GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed complete school supplies to students whose parents work as farmers, fisherfolk, and salt makers.

“Isa po siyang malaking blessing for our schools, lalong-lalo na po dito sa ating mga coastal communities. 'Yung pera na ibibili sana ng school supplies, hindi na po nila p-problemahin,” said Valerie Talamayan, a Senior Education Program Specialist, Schools Division of Ilocos Norte.

“Napakasaya po namin. Maraming salamat sa GMA Kapuso Foundation. Ito ay napakalaking tulong, lalo na nagtataasan na lahat ng mga bilihin,” said Maricon Agpoon, a School Principal I in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, Shopee, and Palawan Pay. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA News