BACOLOD City – Around 30 pupils from the daycare center in Barangay Minapasok, Calatrava, Negros Occidental received free school bags, supplies, and slippers through the initiative of the Calatrava Municipal Police Station.
The distribution was led by Police Major Wilfredo Benoman Jr., Calatrava police chief, through the station’s Police Community Affairs Section.
Benoman shared that he has been conducting similar outreach efforts for nearly four years as part of his personal advocacy in every area he is assigned to.
“With the help of stakeholders, we give out school supplies to selected daycare centers in barangays under the jurisdiction of our station,” Benoman said. “In this small way, we can help ease the burden of expenses for their parents, especially those who are struggling financially.”
The recent beneficiaries are mostly children belonging to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in the area.
“They, too, deserve our attention and the chance to benefit from our ‘Balik Eskwela’ program,” he added.
Benoman said the funds used to purchase the items were sourced from his friends, fellow members of the Philippine National Police, and the local chief executive.
Each bag distributed contained two notebooks, two bundles of paper, two pencils, a box of crayons, and an eraser./PN
