By COCOY SEXCION and ROMINA RABINA
ALABEL, Sarangani (August 9, 2011) – Sarangani’s partners in education reforms turned over more donations and pledged to continue supporting the fight against poverty through quality education.
Donors’ representatives delivered commitment addresses on August 5 at the 18th foundation anniversary of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Sarangani which marked the second year of “Education Revolution!” dubbed as KKK (Karunungan Kontra Kahirapan).
“They ask what is the secret why a lot of assistance has been pouring into the province? My reply is, one is credibility, and two is integrity,” said Governor Migs Dominguez in his speech during the event. “And for every peso the province receives as aid must have a clear result and return of investment.”
Alcantara Foundation executive director Richlie Lyndon Magtulis pledged his commitment in behalf of the foundation to support the education reform agenda started by the provincial officials and the DepEd by forging partnership with other non-government organizations (NGOs), corporations and individuals who are willing to extend their assistance.
“We have already done this in Maitum where we partnered with Jollibee Foundation to feed 200 malnourished children from Grade 1 to 2 daily and we will do this for the next 136 days or for the rest of the school year,” Magtulis disclosed.
“This year we are happy to announce that UnionBank, one of the biggest banks in the country, will continue its commitment to support our province’s quest for a 1:1 ratio of workbooks for every student. UnionBank has now sent 18,000 English workbooks for our Grade 2 students all over the province,” he added.
Bernardo Zamora, plant manager of Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SPPC), relayed the message in behalf of SPPC-Conal Holdings Corporation of their continued support for the education program of the province.
Zamora turned over eight desktop computers to DepEd for elementary schools of Kihan, Baluntay, Bagacay, Domolok, Ladol, Maribulan, Poblacion and Tokawal.
Zamora noted that within the municipality of Alabel, the SPPC has already constructed 25 school buildings with one and two standard classrooms complete with facilities like comfort room, ceiling fan, tables and chairs.
“The company has also more or less 300 scholars and this will continue to grow for the next years,” Zamora concluded.
As a commitment to help more marginalized children in Sarangani to gain access to education, World Vision delivered to DepEd 35 sets of audio visual equipment to its 35 assisted schools that include 28 elementary schools and seven high schools.
Sagittarius Mines, Inc., on the other hand, gave a P2 million check, through its representative Bella Lechonsito, to Governor Migs Dominguez, Maasim Mayor Jose Zamorro, Alabel Mayor Corazon Grafilo, Board Member Eleanor Saguiguit and Sarangani schools division superintendent Dr. Allan Farnazo for the construction of ClassDorms in schools situated in the far-flung barangays of Maasim and Alabel.
The ClassDorms concept under the auspices of QUEST (Quality Education for Sarangani Today) addresses classroom shortage, dropout and absenteeism among indigenous children in the hinterlands of Sarangani. SMI and QUEST opened on August 8 and 9 new SMI-donated ClassDorms in Sofan Integrated School and New Canaan Integrated School in barangay Pagasa, Alabel.
QUEST is a program established by Governor Dominguez in 2007 patterned after the education reform model of Synergeia Foundation, a non-profit organization. (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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