Hewlett-Packard donates 2,000 computers for Sarangani public schools

By BEVERLY PAOYON and ROMINA RABINA

ALABEL, Sarangani (August 5, 2011) – Congressman Manny Pacquiao announced before thousands of teachers and education revolutionists Friday (August 5) the Hewlett-Packard (HP) donation of 2,000 computers for public schools across the province.

The congressman, commercial endorser for Hewlett-Packard’s Touch Pad airing in a giant US broadcast network, told the cheering crowd that Hewlett-Packard was giving 1,000 computers and he asked for 1,000 more “bisag wala koy talent fee basta naa lang computers nga muabot sa Sarangani (even without talent fee as long as those computers arrive in Sarangani).”

The donation was roughly $1 million worth if each unit costs $500.

Pacquiao and Gov. Migs Dominguez led some 5,000 teachers, local leaders and education stakeholders Friday in a rally to fight poverty thru quality education in front of the Capitol.

Pacquiao reiterated his announcement at the Capitol gym where teachers were gathered for their division’s State of Education report and 18th foundation anniversary of the Department of Education in Sarangani.

He also disclosed that he was giving P3 million for school supplies (bags, notebooks, ballpens) of students here. A P2-million fund was also allotted for college scholars, he added.

Schools division superintendent Allan Farnazo said the computers will “definitely do a big help because the computers in the schools were purchased in 1997 yet. Computer classes in the secondary are in fact using only one computer for presentation” and students could not have hands-on lessons.

Farnazo said their earlier proposal was only 730 units and was surprised that it would be more. “Now we can already organize even for 50 units in one class.”

Also recently, Rep. Pacquiao received seven brand new ambulances from the Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office in exchange for his endorsement of the agency's charity programs. Each of the province’s seven towns received an ambulance. (Beverly Paoyon and Romina Rabina/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)