‘Lalacoste’ shoes for grads in N. Cotabato

“At this time when money is the foremost concern of parents for the graduation of their children, it is but appropriate to assist them and at least lessen their burden,” the governor told reporters.

Mendoza said that like last year, when some 12,000 shoes were distributed to graduating high school students, the provincial government also allotted funds for the purchase and delivery of black shoes to the recipients.

She admitted that the shoe distribution was not easy because staff from the governor’s office had to go around schools to collect the shoe sizes of the graduating students.

“We did this as early as February this year to make sure that everyone will be able to receive the appropriate item and to avoid problems in the sizing of shoes,” Mendoza said.

Omar Obas, Cotabato schools division superintendent, described the shoe distribution as “practical and useful.”

“This is a sensible initiative … It also addressed the predicament of poor parents as graduation day nears,” Obas said.

Aside from graduating students, the provincial government also distributed shoes, umbrellas and raincoats to some 3,000 teachers all over the province.

Mendoza said these endeavors may be considered small things but “have provided valuable assistance to many individuals especially to poor families.”

“It is my desire to help out striving students finish their education and be able to help their struggling parents and eventually uplift their living conditions,” she said, citing other programs for students such as scholarship assistance. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao