By Michelle Ann Gonzales
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (01 April 2014) - City Mayor Ronnel Rivera has led a team to the Indigenous People (IP) community of Sitio Datal Salvan in Barangay San Jose to extend help among school children.
Together with Ronnel C. Rivera (RCR) Foundation, the team crossed four rivers and rocky terrains to reach Datal Salvan High School (DSHS), one of the many beneficiaries of Mayor Rivera’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) donation.
The far-flung DSHS has only one classroom made from used tarpaulins repurposed as walls. The usage of the classroom depends on schedule.
This school year they were able to serve 37 grade seven and 52 grade eight students.
Students mostly come from the Blaan tribe.
The school received P20,000 as PTA Donation from Rivera.
Furthermore, the city mayor also pledged to put up more classrooms in DSHS through the Local Government Unit employees unions’ build a classroom advocacy.
“Hangyo lang nako sa atong mga ginikanan nga ibutang gyud ang mga bata sulod sa eskwelahan. Mga bata, paningkamot pud kamo nga mag-eskwela ug magdamgo para sa inyong kaugmaon (My plead among our parents is to send your children to school. Children, also strive to study and dream for your future),” Mayor Rivera said.
The Blaan students, teachers and parents expressed their gratitude to Rivera.
“Nalipay ko nga gitagaan ug prayoridad kaming mga Blaan. Gusto gyud namo makatapos og eskwela (I am happy that we the B’laans were given priority. We really want to finish our studies),’’ said Aljun Melody, student.
To date Mayor Rivera has helped almost 150 IP kids in their pursuit for education including those who were enrolled in the Alternative Learning System.
Aside from the PTA Donation, Rivera also assisted in feeding children in the community through a feeding program by the RCR Foundation.
Two large pots of rice porridge and several packs of candies, biscuits, and pouched juices were served by Mayor Rivera‘s team to the Blaan kids. (GENSAN CPIO/Michelle Ann Gonzales)
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