KIDAPAWAN CITY, North Cotabato — The Office of the Vice President’s pagbaBAGo campaign has reached this province on Thursday morning.

Duterte, who visited the province to celebrate North Cotabato’s Kalivungan” Festival and its 108th Founding Anniversary, distributed bags with school supplies and dental kits dubbed as “pagbaBAGo.”

A combined total of 500 Grade 1 and Grade 7 students from the Matalam Elementary School, Amas Elementary School, and Tatadon Elementary School received the bags.

The project, which was first implemented when Duterte was still mayor of Davao City, intends to reach more children throughout the nation.

“Ang pagbaBAGo campaign mao ang kampanya namo sa Davao City para pagpahinumdum sa mga bata na kinahanglan magtuon og tarong, ug magskwela og tarong,” Duterte said.

She told the learners that their determination and hard work, not the bags she was giving them, would transform their lives and free them from poverty.

“Ang kanang bag, gibuhat na namo para kada-adlaw ‘pag makit-an ninyo ang bag, bahala’g da-ot na ‘na, makahinumdom mo na naa diay ko’y kailangan buhaton — magtuon ko og tarong, kinahanglan ko mahuman og eskwela, ug kinahanglan ko magtrabaho para sa kaugalingon nakong kwarta,” she added.

Duterte also stressed on the children that success will only be possible if they are equipped with the right knowledge, complete a degree, engage in business, and not get married young.

Speaking to parents, Duterte emphasized on the value of family planning.

“Importante sa atoa mga ginikanan na naa ta’y pagplano sa atong pagbuntis. Kung duha ra kabuok ang kaya nato pahumanon og eskwela, dapat pag-abot sa ikatulo, unsa ang buhaton nato?” Duterte asked the parents.

Someone in the crowd replied, “family planning.”

“Ang family planning, muadto mo sa health center og mangutana mo sa atoang CHW, sa nurse, o sa atong doctor kung unsa ba’y maayo para sa imo — mag-condom ba, pills, IUD, ligate? Ing-ana ang atong kailangan buhaton para sa atong pamilya upang ang mga anak mapanigurado na mahuman sila og eskwela.”

OVP MEDIA