2,400 students students in Davao Occidental receive school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation

2,400 students in Davao Occidental received school supplies from GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to “24 Oras,” Friday, the island of Balut in Davao Occidental is just a three-hour boat ride from Indonesia’s Marore Island.

This is the reason why it is no longer surprising to see many Indonesians residing on Balut Island, including the family of Bethning Lahabir.

Bethning gave birth to her children on Balut Island and said that she considers herself a Filipino.

Every year, they renew their Alien Certificate of Registration to legally reside in the country.

“Napamahal na samin dito na dito kami tumira,” Bethning said.  

Bethning’s husband only makes a living from fishing, but there are days when they don’t earn anything because of the strong waves.

Despite this, they still find ways to make sure their two sons finish school.

“Mas masakit ‘yun sa isang ina, ma’am, na tumitingin na ‘yung anak mo walang kinakain tapos ‘yung mga kaklase niya kumakain. Minsan, naisip nga namin, napakahirap talaga buhay ng mahirap,” she said.

From the Balangonan Port in Davao Occidental, the GMA Kapuso Foundation team traveled for two hours to reach Balut Island.

For the first time, GMA Kapuso Foundation reached the area to deliver school supplies and rubbing alcohol for the students.

They also gave away supplies to students in remote schools on Sarangani Island, where the cost of school supplies is high.

“Ang byahe po is parang tatlong sakayan po bago makarating dito. Usually, magta-times five po ‘yung kanyang presyo compared to regular price po sa Gen San po,” Laker Elementary School teacher-in-charge Josal Antonio said.

“Sa aming division, ang Sarangani po ang pinakamalayo na district. Lahat po ng schools ng Sarangani District ay nabigyan po ng school supplies na galing po sa GMA Kapuso Foundation,” DepEd Davao Occidental Sr. Education Program specialist Elvira Labis said.

For those who are interested to help, GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

—Carby Basina / CACM, GMA Integrated News