GMA Kapuso Foundation distributes school supplies to 6k students in Davao Oriental, Romblon

Thousands of young learners in Davao Oriental and Sibuyan Island are heading back to school with new supplies, thanks to the GMA Kapuso Foundation's latest outreach initiative.

According to “24 Oras” on Friday, the foundation distributed complete sets of school supplies to kindergarten and Grade 1 students in 72 public schools across Davao Oriental and 29 schools in Sibuyan Island, Romblon, benefiting a total of 6,000 students.

Among them is Thelma Roquisa from San Isidro, Davao Oriental, who earns a living through copra farming.

She receives only P30 for every basket of coconuts she fills—an income that barely covers the needs of her three children, whom she is raising on her own.

“Unti-unti po ang bili ng school supplies. Hati-hati po sila. Importante po na makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral,” Thelma said.

Meanwhile, Deza Bersaba of Sibuyan Island supplements her family's income by planting cassava while her husband works as a fisherman.

The couple relies on a small fishing boat to avoid spending on fuel.

“Mahal po dito ang gamit. Ang isang piraso po dito 30 pesos, notebook saka papel,” she shared.

Sarah Jane Avanzado, Public School District Supervisor in San Fernando, Romblon, also noted that the high cost of school materials is due to the additional expense of transporting them from cities such as Manila and Roxas City.

“Mataas ang presyo ng mga school supplies dito dahil sa city pa binibili. Sa Manila o kaya Roxas City. Kami po ay nagpapaabot ng pasasalamat sa GMA Kapuso. Malaking tulong sa eskwela namin,” she said.

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