MANILA, Philippines – Young students from 37 barangays in Quezon City have recently been the recipients of free school bags, shoes, and even vitamins and medicines as part of a city councilor’s youth advocacy program.
Dr. Geleen Lumbad, a councilor in Quezon City’s 3rd district and a longtime advocate of children’s education, emphasized that healthy and educated children are the nation’s foundation.
“That’s what we are doing since last week, distributing quality shoes to the daycare, kinder and Grade 1 to 6 children. This is an advocacy for me even before and not only in our district, but also to some areas and provinces. We also give vitamins and medicines to the elder people,” Lumbad said.
At least 25,000 boys and girls from different barangays were given school shoes as part of Lumbad’s program, which is supported by the councilor’s husband and businessman Joseph Lumbad. The councilor said they are eying to distribute an additional 10,000 pairs of shoes to children.
“We’ve been giving away free vitamins and medicines for a long time although the distribution of free shoes for schoolers have just started last week to at least 10 public schools. We are still eyeing to visit more public schools here in our district,” the 30-year-old Lumbad added.
“Every kid is entitled of free shoes and vitamins in our district because we believe they are our future, the hope of next generation,” she explained. “We are still willing to give more free bags if needed as well as free vitamins.”
The elderly have likewise been on the receiving end of free medicines and vitamins as part of the program.
Lumbad, a mother of three boys, is expecting a baby girl in the first week of September. Despite her pregnancy, she said work should continue as her office continues to collaborate with other local officials to address issues in the community.
Lumbad ran independently last 2022 and won the No. 2 spot of six council seats. She is also known to be a huge supporter of Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
“Our Mayor Joy Belmonte has been very supportive and productive to all the districts here in Quezon City, including in our third district, and we are very thankful to her great passion as a public servant and as the mother of our city,” Lumbad said.
“Mayor Joy’s hard work is very inspiring to all of us, while our people serve as our motivation to keep going in our duty as elected public servant.”