A total of 1,130 Aetas studying in different schools in the province received financial grants on Wednesday to help them finish their education.
The provincial government of Pampanga led by Governor Dennis Pineda and Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), distributed the financial assistance to Aeta students in the elementary and college levels at the Lubao gym.
A total of 1,061 learners from the elementary level received PHP2,500 each while the 69 college students got cash grants amounting to PHP5,000 each.
Likewise, college students who are presently living in boarding houses received an additional PHP5,000 each for rental payment.
Aside from these, the provincial government also shouldered the Aeta students’ full matriculation fees whether they are studying in public or private learning institutions.
The move is part of the provincial government’s continuing efforts to uplift the lives of the residents of upland communities.
Vice Governor Pineda disclosed that the provincial government has readied jobs for the Aeta graduates.
“Yung mga napa-graduate na natin, permanente na yung iba sa kanila sa Kapitolyo. Inaabangan ko talaga ‘yung mga gagraduate, lalo na next year, may naka-prepare nang item or trabaho para sa kanila (Those we were able to help graduate, some of them have permanent jobs in the provincial capitol. I am really waiting for those who will graduate next year, there are items or jobs for them),” the vice governor said in a social media post.
During the distribution activity, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency-Central Luzon conducted an orientation against the recruitment efforts of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), particularly among students and the youth.
The initiative is part of the implementation of Executive Order 70 and the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF ELCAC) through the Information and Education Campaign and Resource Control Operations to prevent communist terrorist groups from conducting recruitment in various schools. (PNA)
