PH firms unite for Brigada Eskwela ‘12

As a response, volunteer employees from Accenture, Deloitte, and Victory Liner among others will dedicate their weekend for the prepation of Maliksi Elementary School in Bacoor, Cavite.

Maliksi ES is a PBSP-assisted school which has 2,548 pupils and 60 teachers and staff. Citibank/Citi Foundation, through United Way Worldwide, has already constructed a 4-classroom building in the school. Meanwhile, Hershey’s Philippines recently distributed snack bags to students.

In addition, Goodwill Bookstore, Henlin, and CDO Foodsphere provided in-kind donations like books, refreshments, and canned goods.

Preparations for the opening of classes included painting of roofs and exterior walls; gardening; cementing of existing footways and drains; and repairing or replacing of leaking water pipes, ceiling boards, old chairs and desks, broken windows, doors, and school signs.

Brigada Eskwela has a good track of accomplishments since its launch in 2003. It was kicked off to rally the support of the private sector in the Adopt-A-School Program (ASP) or Republic Act 8525.

Last year, PBSP was able to raise PhP1.67M worth of cash and in-kind donations from 57 donor companies to implement the foundation’s educational programs. This year, the pooled funds will be used to support 30 underserved schools in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

RA 8525 “allows private entities to assist public schools, whether elementary, secondary, or tertiary…” Provided assistance includes, but is not limited to, “staff and faculty development for training and further education; construction of facilities; upgrading of existing facilities, provision of books, publications and other instructional materials; and modernization of instructional technologies.”