Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson turned over a total of P18.5 million worth of Special Educational Fund to various Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Divisions in Negros Occidental Thursday, February 2.

The checks were distributed to the Schools Division Offices (SDO) Farm Schools of the cities of Bago, Cadiz, Escalante, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Carlota, Sagay, San Carlos, Sipalay, Silay, and Victorias.

SDO Negros Occidental, led by Schools Division Superintendent Anthony Liobet, also received financial assistance for its Farm School, and programs on Sports trainings and seminars, Seal of Excellence, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management.

Gov. Lacson said that the assistance given to the schools is a step towards the achievement of the goal to give the needed focus on agri-fishery, forestry, farm entrepreneurship, community development, and education for sustainable development.

The ceremonial turnover of checks was held at the Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, in the presence of school heads, DepEd personnel, and Provincial School Board members.

Also present were OIC Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Anna Marie Lucasan, Provincial Budget Officer Gemma Flores, and Provincial Treasurer Atty. Amy Bolivar, among others. (PR)