In a continued effort to support education in far-flung areas, selected schools and learners in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) of North Cotabato were recently beneficiaries of 3,700 PagbaBAGo bags and 22 wheelchairs. These were distributed by the Southern Mindanao Satellite Office of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), under the leadership of Vice President Sara Duterte.
North Cotabato, a province made up of 18 municipalities, saw 14 of its towns visited by the OVP team as part of their “PagbaBAGo: A Million Learners and Trees” campaign. The initiative aims to distribute one million bags and plant one million trees across the country. The OVP team made significant efforts to reach these schools, trekking up mountains, crossing the Pulangi River by boat, and walking long distances to provide assistance, with some of the recipients located in remote last-mile schools.
PagbaBAGo Bags Distribution
A total of 3,700 bags were distributed to the following schools:
- N. Ramirez Elementary School and Inamong Elementary School (Arakan)
- Don Panaca Elementary School and Don Panaca High School (Magpet)
- Braulio G. Dano Elementary School (Makilala)
- Banawa Elementary School (Mlang)
- Tulunan Elementary School (Kabacan)
- Mapagkaya Elementary School, Talitay Elementary School, and Inug-ug Elementary School (Pikit)
- Dungoan Elementary School (Aleosan)
- Lomopog Elementary School and Macasendeg Elementary School (Midsayap)
- Prado Elementary School and A. Mana-ay Elementary School (Pigcawayan)
Wheelchair Assistance
Additionally, 22 wheelchairs were provided to schools to aid students with mobility needs. The beneficiaries included:
- Apostol Memorial Central Elementary School (Magpet)
- President Roxas National High School (President Roxas)
- Lika National High School (Mlang)
- Manupal Elementary School, Dalapitan Elementary School, and Marbel Elementary School (Matalam)
- Marbel Elementary School (Kidapawan)
- Upper Paatan Elementary School (Kabacan)
- Ladtingan Elementary School (Pikit)
- Tomado Elementary School (Aleosan)
- Villarica Elementary School (Midsayap)
- Presbitero National High School (Pigcawayan)
- Lower Dado Elementary School (Alamada)
- Banisilan Central Elementary School (Banisilan)
The success of the distribution was made possible through the strong collaboration between the Office of the Vice President, the Department of Education Schools Division of North Cotabato, the Provincial Government, the North Cotabato Provincial Police Office, the 72nd Infantry Battalion (Arakan), the 90th Infantry Battalion (Pikit), civilian volunteers, barangay officials, and school staff. Their collective efforts ensured that the PagbaBAGo campaign reached the most remote and underserved schools in the province.
The OVP expressed its gratitude for the warm reception from teachers, students, and local communities during the distribution events.
