Education continues to top mayor’s agenda

By ALICE NICART, PIA Eastern Samar
April 19, 2012

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  San Julian Mayor, George N. Erroba has again found inner joy as a person, knowing that in years, he has helped in the education of his least fortunate constituents.

In a pep talk, Erroba revealed that as Mayor, it has always been his dream to educate the children coming from the 16 different barangays of his town, knowing that this is a powerful weapon in winning over poverty.

As observed by many, in the 60’s, the 5th class San Julian town used to be a sloppy place that  children’s education took the least agendum in prioritizing programs and projects, until came the current leadership.

Recently, education took center stage in the municipal development plans such that parents do not bother so much on the financial aspect of their children’s education.  It had been noticed that the municipal LGU has shouldered the major expenses of the many poor children, e.g. school fees, allowances, even providing them free transportation service to and from the school.

Many poor pupils coming  from interior barangays used to  walk the narrow  trails, rain or shine but recently, the LGU did not only give them better roads, it also provided them a transportation service.  This facility is not only a big help to them but also a moral booster, considering that in years, they felt government was beyond their reach.

“Yana la ine namon kakarawat nga sugad nga tambulig,” [This is the first time that we have availed of such LGU assistance], Mrs. Godelia Barros of barangay Tawid proudly confirmed.  As a mother of five, who works as a family help, with her husband who decided to go on his own, Barros said her daughters could probably have not even reached high school.

Today, at least a number of youths have completed their secondary education which used to be an impossible dream for many families in many poor farming villages.

In addition, the young Mayor further revealed that for the coming school opening some 200 elementary pupils, 200 high school students, and all Day Care children stand to benefit LGU assistance.  This is on top of a special room for Special Children, another special room for Persons with Disabiltiies (PWD) which is furnished   with three computers.

Mayor Erroba likewise said there are 30 units of desktop computers which are to be distributed to central elementary schools, this is because of his concern that the children have to be computer literates before they enter high school.

Asked why he focuses on education, Erroba replied that it is only one of his priorities.  Education, maybe because, during his boyhood, he said, he knew early then, from some of his friends, how sad they were not being able to attend school, despite their eagerness.