After getting inspiration from several food-based community pantries in the country, a group of Fernandinos from public and private sectors gave birth to “Education Community Pantry” that will supplement to the learning needs of students and parents in the City of San Fernando.
In time for the first day of the City Schools Division of San Fernando’s “Brigada Eskwela” on August 18, 2021, Project NEST (Nurturing Environment and System for Thriving): Education Community Pantry, was launched and thus far reached some 27 public schools in the city.
“Ang pangangailangan ng mga bata at magulang sa aspeto ng edukasyon ay hindi natatapos. Kailangan ay tuloy-tuloy ang access nila dito kaya ang implementasyon ng ating programa, magagawa siya sa buong school year,” shared David Zab Jimenez, Education Consultant of the City Government of San Fernando, who established the said project.
“Sa proyektong ito, maaaring magbigay at humingi ang isang magulang, bata, o guardian ng tangible at intangible na education needs,” he added.
Included in the tangible items available at the pantries were school supplies and learning materials while services, including tutoring, counseling, parenting tips, among others, were available under the intangible category.
Parents or guardians were encouraged to join the NEST Education Community Pantry of the school in their barangay by communicating with the school head or the student’s teachers.
They may also visit the school, barangay, or their respective Sangguniang Kabataan offices to drop their letters or forms containing their request for supplies or services.
Meanwhile, individuals or groups may also physically drop their tangible donations or relay their interests to serve through the school or barangay offices within their area.
One of the 27 schools with an established pantry was the Panipuan Elementary School in the northern part of the city. Distribution of the donations started on September 14, 2021, in time for the first week of classes for School Year 2021-2022.
“Napakaganda na mayroong ‘spirit of sharing’ ngayong panahon ng pandemiya dahil maraming mga pamilya ang nangangailangan ng karagdagang kagamitan o tulong sa edukasyon. Kami sa sektor ng edukasyon, sinisiguro sa ating mga donors at benefactors na mapupunta sa mga nangangailangan itong mga tulong nila,” said Maria Luz Dacoco, school principal.
Dacoco said the donations were from different individuals or groups that include common folks, local officials, and the business community.
So far, the “Education Community Pantry” has been at the following schools:
Baliti Integrated School
Calulut Integrated School
Northville Elementary School
Del Carmen Integrated School
Dela Paz Norte Elementary School
Dela Paz Sur Elementary School
Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Integrated School
Dolores Integrated School
San Jose Juliana Elementary School
Lara Integrated School
Magliman Integrated School
Panipuan Elementary School
St. Vincent of Quebiawan Integrated School
San Agustin Integrated School Main
San Agustin Integrated School Annex
Archbishop Emilio Cinense Memorial Integrated School (San Felipe)
San Isidro Integrated School
San Jose Panlumancan Integrated School
San Juan South Elementary School
City of San Fernando West Integrated School (San Juan)
San Pedro Integrated School
Sindalan Elementary School
Sta. Lucia Integrated School
Pampanga High School (Sta. Teresita)
Sto. Niño Elementary School
San Pablo Integrated School (Telabastagan)
Telabastagan Integrated School
As Education still tops the 10-point agenda of Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, the City, from the onset of the pandemic up to now, assured access to quality education among the parents and students, through the efficient utilization of Special Education Fund and the welcoming of individuals and groups who serve as the City’s benefactors. (CSFP City Information Office)
