DepEd cites Lazatin's online education thrust

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Admin

ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr.’s educational assistance to public schools and teachers amid the pandemic is being recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) — Regional Office III.

“The pandemic has altered the lives of many, but we must continue to do the best for our children,” Mayor Lazatin said.

“Maraming salamat po sa DepEd, naging katuwang din po natin sila sa pagseguro ng mga programang nagsusulong sa edukasyon ng bawat isang kabataang Angelen?o,” he furthered.

The award was conferred to Mayor Lazatin during the virtual recognition of Government and Community Stakeholders on December 28, recognizing the topmost involvement and participation of various stakeholders in ensuring that education must continue amidst the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

This, after Mayor Lazatin has allotted P209 million to purchase 61,200 tablets for 55,000 Grades 4 to 12 students and 3,000 school teachers in 53 public schools, and 3,200 scholars in the City College of Angeles (CCA).

The tablets are exclusively being used in the transition to online learning, which are said to be given back to the school’s administration at the end of the school year.

To date, 49,992 tablets had already been distributed in 48 public schools and are currently being used by students from Grades 4 to 12.

Apart from this, Mayor Lazatin has also allocated P20 million for free wifi connection, installing 200 access points in the city’s 33 barangays to further help them with their online classes.

The city government has also distributed via house-to-house P1,000 educational financial assistance to 1,000 indigent students throughout the city’s 33 barangays amid the pandemic.

Realizing the readiness of public schools facilities and infrastructure once face-to-face learning in implemented, Mayor Lazatin has set aside P5 million for the repair of day care centers and classrooms; P12 million to purchase air conditioning units and television sets for all 76 day care centers; and P30 million from the Local School Board fund for 2021 will be used for the repair of public elementary schools, including comfort rooms, and construction of additional classrooms for public high schools.

He also announced additional courses, construction of classrooms and buildings in CCA, using the P50 million donation from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Furthermore, the city government also allotted P25 million for the skills trainings and livelihood assistance program for the parents, to ensure that they have the means to sustain their needs and provide their children an adequate standard of living.

This includes a P3-million budget for the social pension of all solo parents living in the city.

Meanwhile, in order to efficiently combat illegal drugs and save Angelen?o children from its grip, a P2 million budget was allotted for the operation of “Bahay Pag-Asa”, with the objective of turning it into a premier reformation center for youth offenders, through its skills trainings, life skills and alternative learning system.

“Sa pagsulong ng dekalidad na edukasyon, walang maiiwan. Sisikapin nating umalalay sa bawat kabataang Angelen?os sa pag-abot ng kanilang mga pangarap, may pandemya man o wala. Tuloy-tuloy ang mga programang pang-edukasyon para sakanila,” Mayor Lazatin vowed.