Some 166 students from kindergarten to elementary levels will receive educational assistance for 2019 as support for their studies throughout the school year.
Bobit Alihan, community organizer, said the students in Sitio Tagpas, Barangay Latud in town of Rizal which is an impact barangay with hundred percent population of indigenous people (IPs) receive an annual assistance for education.
Out of 100,000 budget allocated for 2019 from the Social Development and Management Program (SDMP), each kindergarten and elementary student will receive P600.00.

“Actually natutuwa sila dahil nabigyan sila. Inaasahan na nila ito taon-taon kahit na maliit lang. Alam mo yong ikinabubuhay kasi nila doon ay puno ng saging, mahalaga na sa kanila kasi halos ayaw na nila kasi mas gusto nila na kakainin pa,” he said.
The educational assistance for 2019 will be given on August 27-28.
He said that the beneficiaries have increased from over 150 students to 166 in 2019.
The educational assistance will be given as cash for students to buy notebooks, uniforms and slippers.
“Parang pambili nila ‘yan ng mga gamit nila bago mag-eskwela pero hindi nila alam yong bilang ng mga bata dati, hindi nila matantsa kaya hinintay nila yong enrollment,” he said.
He said the amount given as assistance also used by students to buy food for their consumption due to poverty.
Meanwhile, the SDMP of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC) allotted in Sitio Tagpas supports 13 high school scholars and three college students with monthly allowance.