Poor students in Region 1 to benefit from ‘One Million Lapis’ campaign

SAN FERNANDO CITY, November 24 (PIA) – More than 100,000 pencils are ready for turn-over from the Regional Council for the Welfare of Children and the Department of Education to the target beneficiary schools in Ilocos region.

Government agencies including the Philippine Information Agency, private entities, and even individuals voluntarily took part by collecting and donating old or new pencils to support the nationwide “One Million Lapis” project which aims to provide pencils to underprivileged elementary students nationwide.

In the region, the DepEd has identified the list of schools belonging to the fourth and fifth class municipalities in the region who will be recipients of the collected pencils.

There will be a ceremonial turn-over of the pencils, according to RCWC-1 Coordinator Faye Angeli Liwang. Earlier in  October, the CWC and Department of Social Welfare and Development registered their attempt to the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest line of pencils, participated by children aged 14-17 years old, held in Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

The “One Million Lapis” campaign is in line with this year’s celebration of National Children’s Month in November.

In the region, highlighting the regional celebration will be held at the Convention Center in Vigan City on November 24 and 25.

During the two-day event, there will be a forum on Child Protection Facility, Protection of Children At Risk (CAR) and Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), and the Presentation of the State of Regional Children Address.

Children from different day care centers in the four provinces will also compete in a singing and draw and tell contest as part of the celebration.

The Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance will likewise be conferred to Vigan City on the same event.

“Isulong: Kalidad na Edukasyon Para sa Lahat ng Bata!” is this year’s theme for the National Children’s Month celebration. (Joanna Diaz Sabado/PIA1, La Union)