POLA, Oriental Mindoro — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte asked schoolchildren here to help other learners who are non-readers — instead of heckling them for their inability to read.

In a visit to the Tagumpay Elementary School here, the Vice President encouraged learners to coach fellow learners who are unable to read.

She underscored the importance of promoting reading literacy among children for better communication and self-development.

“Dapat yung mga hindi pa marunong magbasa, huwag nating awayin, huwag nating kantyawan, huwag nating pagtawanan. Dapat yung mga hindi pa marunong magbasa, dapat nating turuan. Kailangan natin tulungan,” the Vice President told the learners.

During her interaction with them, she also encouraged the learners to hold on to their dream profession — motivating them to pursue their dreams through education.

“Kailangan dapat meron tayong tinitingnan na gusto nating gawin. Lahat ng pagsisikap natin sa loob ng classroom, papunta sya doon sa gusto nating gawin,” she told the young learners.

Duterte also visited the Leandro Panganiban Sr.–Tagumpay High School, where she listened to the concerns and issues laid down by the school faculty through their principal.

Duterte said Tagumpay Elementary School and High School registered a high number of student absences because of the oil spill.

The oil spill was brought about by the sinking of MT Princess Empress, which carried 800,000 tons of industrial fuel oil, off the coast of Naujan town on February 28.

Among the concerns and issues raised by High School Head Christopher Llave were the teachers’ challenges in skills development areas, campus internet connectivity, learning facilities, and the struggle of learners living far from the campus to attend daily classes.

Duterte, in response, explained: “Marami kasing mga factors na hindi natin controlled.”

“Within our control is to innovate at gumawa ng paraan para makapagpatuloy sila sa pag-aaral,” Duterte said.

Out of the 400 learners, 16 already dropped out of school.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President also assisted parents of students affected by the oil spill. The assistance was given through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

A total of 289 beneficiaries from four oil spill-affected barangays received P20,216.00 each.

The OVP’s Disaster Operations Center (OVP-DOC) last week conducted a five-day relief mission in the province.

On March 13, the Vice President visited the province of Antique, which was also affected by the oil spill.

The Vice President, during her visit to Antique, led the distribution of 1,200 food boxes to affected residents in the towns of Semirara, Tinogboc, Alegria, Sibolo, Sitio Liwago.

On March 31, the OVP-DOC also distributed 1,310 food boxes to residents in Batangas, another province affected by the oil spill.

OVP MEDIA