By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
Dingras, Ilocos Norte—Provincial officials want learners in the province to remember that reading books is sometimes better than relying on information from the internet.
Om October 12, 2018, the provincial government turned over at least 8,000 books featuring various subjects over to the 24 public elementary schools of this town.
Led by senior Sangguniang Panlalawigan Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc, chairperson of the committee on education, he said he hopes the distribution of more books for public schools in the province will develop children’s love for reading and learning.
Speaking at the Dingras West Central Elementary School, Mr. Manotoc challenged teachers and students to maximize the use of the reading and instructional materials.
“In the age of computers and cellphones, I hope that the children will develop healthy and strong reading habits,” Mr. Manotoc said citing this is just the first step for students to learn the “extra mile”.
According to Mr. Manotoc, the distribution could have been made earlier in time for the opening of classes but the delivery of the items was delayed.
“It’s better late than never,” said Mr. Manotoc as he also informed them that the “Kuryente Mo, Sagot Mo” program of the provincial government continues to shoulder the electric utility bills of public schools in the province to help achieve universal free education among Filipinos.
Funder under Special Education Fund of the province, the Ilocos Norte government is distributing school equipment like computers, laptops, books and other instructional materials to boost the Ilocano youth’s global competitiveness.
The “Kuryente Mo, Sagot Ko” program covers the payment of electric bills of over 300 primary schools from the 21 towns and two cities of the province, which are receiving below PHP400,000 maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) annually.