LIMASAWA ISLAND, Southern Leyte — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday led the distribution of school supplies and relief goods to students and parents on this historical island.

Duterte, who visited the province to celebrate Maasin City’s founding anniversary, stopped by the island to distribute bags with school supplies dubbed as “pagbaBAGo.”

“Naa mi mga bag nga gipanghatag para sa atoang mga Grade 1 (to) Grade 7. Ang mga bag dili na mao ang magpabag-o sa inyong kinabuhi. Ang magpabag-o sa inyong kinabuhi, mag-alsa sa inyoha gikan sa kalisud sa kinabuhi, mao ang inyohang pagpaningkamot nga mahuman mo og eskwela,” Duterte said in her message before schoolchildren and parents in Barangay Cabulihan here.

She told learners that the bags she was giving them would not change their lives or take them away from conditions of poverty — but it is their determination and hard work that will.

At least 500 pagbaBAGo bags with school supplies and dental kits were given in five elementary schools across the island.

Duterte emphasised that children should undertake proper academic trainings in preparation for much bigger and tougher challenges in life. She encouraged them to higher education.

“Pag moingon ta og mahuman og eskwela, dapat skilled ta— senior high school graduate ta depende sa atong interest. Ug gusto pa gyud ta mokuha ug higher education, pwede ta mokuha og college,” she said.

And she emphasized that success will only be possible if children are equipped with the right knowledge, complete a degree, engage in business, and not to get married young.

“Dili si maam, dili ang inyong mga ginikanan ang magpabag-o sa inyong kinabuhi, kundi kaugalingon ninyong paningkamot nga kamo makakat-on, makatuon, makahuman skwela, maka-negosyo, ug dili mag-minyo ug sayo,” she added.

The pagbaBAGo was Duterte’s initiative back in Davao City when she was mayor.

Aside from school supplies and dental kits for the schoolchildren, parents and residents were also recipients of the 1,000 relief packs.

Speaking to parents, Duterte reminded them of the importance of educating their children and family planning, citing Davao City’s active campaign to offer couples with family planning options.

“Didto sa amoa sa syudad sa Davao, gina-offeran gyud namo pirmi ang among mga kababainhan. Kadtong tulo na ang anak, naay ligation, naay implanon- IUD, naay pills, naay condom. Importante pud na siya sa atoang kaugalingon ug sa atoang pamilya nga aduna ta’y pagplano sa atong pamilya aron dili magbalik-balik ang kalisud,” she said.

Before travelling back to the mainland, Maasin City, Duterte visited the Limasawa National Shrine, where portraits and monuments depicting the country’s first Easter Sunday Mass during the time of Ferdinand Magellan were displayed.

OVP MEDIA