The city government of Makati announced on Wednesday that it will start distributing free uniforms and other school supplies for 14 public elementary and high schools located within its territory that were recently acquired by the city government of Taguig through a Supreme Court decision.
Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay received a letter signed by Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa dated Aug. 22, 2023 approving Makati’s requests.
Among these requests, which Makati enumerated in a letter dated Aug. 17, 2023, are the distribution of school supplies to the 14 “disputed” schools and the use of school facilities for the distribution as Binay also scheduled the distribution to start at Pembo Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon.
“Maraming salamat, VP (Vice President) Sara (Duterte). Pwede nang ipamigay ang school supplies sa LAHAT (45,000) na estudyante sa 14 na eskwelahan sa embo (Thank you very much, VP Sara. We can now distribute the school supplies to ALL (45,000) students in 14 schools of embo),” Binay said in her Facebook post late Tuesday night.
Under the expanded Project FREE (Free Relevant and Excellent Education) of the Makati government, public school students from Kindergarten to senior high school, including Special Education students in elementary and high school, are entitled to receive school uniforms and other supplies.
Included in the 14 public schools are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Cembo Elementary School, South Cembo Elementary School, Pitogo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Comembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Makati Science High School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School, Tibagan High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, and Pitogo High School.
The DepEd’s Office of the Secretary announced last week that it has assumed control over the said schools explaining that it recognizes the increasing tension in the area and that the agency must “provide a safe and enabling environment for learners, teachers, and personnel” under its mandate. (PNA)
