GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines – Pound-for-pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao donated P1 million worth of reference materials for Grade 1 and Grade 2 public elementary school pupils in Malungon town, Sarangani Province.
Bienvenida Llego, municipal administrative officer IV of Malungon town, told reporters that around 9,000 books on English and Pilipino were handed over by Pacquiao on Wednesday to help the program dubbed Quality Education for Sarangani Today (QUEST).
Llego said the donation would greatly help the town’s effort to improve the quality of education particularly in the primary level.
Aside from the reading materials, Llego added, Pacquiao also gave out 266 manuals for grade 1 and grade 2 teachers.
In 2008, the Pacman donated P600,000 cash to Malungon to help the town’s public education sector.
During the simple turn-over ceremony, Pacquiao said he was committed to helping particularly the poor students acquire quality education.
He recalled that when he was studying in elementary, lack of reference materials was among his main predicaments.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao clarified that he was determined to vie for a congressional seat in Sarangani province despite advice from his close associates who warned him against another foray into politics. (He lost in the 2007 congressional race in General Santos City).
Among those who advised Pacman not to run for Congress were Deputy National Security Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson and Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.
In his block time program aired over a local radio station here, Pacquiao reiterated his resolve to seek for an elective post in Sarangani Province.
Since January 2009, the Filipino ring icon has been roaming around Sarangani sponsoring the conduct of medical mission and giving out school supplies.
During the S’lang Festival in Malungon late last month, Pacquiao brought several showbiz personalities to participate in a basketball exhibition game and to hold a concert for the local residents.
