ALS passers to Delta: ‘Help us reach our dreams’

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO “Vice Gov Delta, help us make our dreams real.”

This was the appeal made by Reynalyn Palo, one of the Aetas who passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) and a 1st year College student of Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU)- Porac to Vice Governor Dennis ‘Delta’Pineda.

With this, Vice Governor Delta vowed that the leadership of the provincial government will give its full support to the ALS passers and to the Kapampangan youth until they finished their college education or any non-formal, vocational education they want to pursue in the future.

This came during the recent Recognition Day of some 1,035 Alternative Learning System (ALS) passers in the province held at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center wherein Vice Governor Delta led the distribution of financial assistance with a total amount of P1-million to ALS passers.

He was assisted by Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, Bessie Makabali, head of the Provincial Library, Angie Blanco, head of Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), Dr. Leonardo Zapanta, Pampanga school’s division superintendent of the Department of Education ( DepEd) ,

ALS teachers and officials from LandBank of the Philippines.

Pineda stressed the importance of becoming an entrepreneur through starting a small business after availing the livelihood training and programs that the provincial government offers such as garments and dressmaking, housekeeping, welding, air con maintenance, steel fabrication, hollow blocks production, motor pool, culinary services, among others.

ALS is a national program of the government offered by DepEd. It provides a practical option of formal existing instruction for out-of-school youth who cannot access formal education.

Aid to college students ALS passers

The Vice Governor also asked ALS passers to pursue High School and College education.

Some 50 college students enrolled in different schools in the province is set to avail the Special Program for Employment of Students (SPES) while the high school students will be given educational assistance.

This way, Pineda said, “makakatulong tayo sa pangangailangan ng mga kabataang nangangarap sa buhay.”

According to Palo, through the aid from the government, youth like her who live in remote areas could have a chance to go to school.

Palo also said that she could proudly tell her community that she received formal education and will eventually reach her dream regardless of age, place, and race because of ALS.

Medical assistance for ALS passers

When Pineda learned that some of the students and their families are in need of medical assistance, the vice governor immediately gave them the needed assistance.

Ronnie Manalo, ALS passer from Magalang who needs to undergo a major operation, received medical and financial help from the vice governor.

— Leah Isidro De Fiesta