Private sector partners with DepEd for “Bayanihang Pampaaralan”

Members of the private sector recently formalized a partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to support classroom-building efforts through “Bayanihang Pampaaralan” (BP).

BP is an initiative of the 57-75 Movement pushing for the construction of 10,000 classrooms in two years. It aims to consolidate classroom building efforts and direct funds to the construction of classrooms in areas that need the most assistance. The project encourages both corporations and individuals to contribute through donations or the conduct of their own school building program following the standards set by DepEd.

“The Bayanihang Pampaaralan is a testament of more engaged private sector participation in reversing the education crisis, as we reach out to the poverty-stricken localities and less privileged sectors of our society,” says PBSP Executive Director Rafael Lopa.

Signing memoranda of agreement with the Department of Education, on behalf of their respective companies, were Coca-Cola Philippines president Guillermo Aponte, Jollibee Foundation president Grace TanCationg, Petron Corporation assistant vice president Andrew S. Fortuno, Philam Life president Trevor Bull, PLDT head of community relations Evelyn Del Rosario, and SM Investments Corporation executive vice president Jose Sio.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed to signify the partnership between the 57-57 Movement and DepEd. Representing the 57-75 were League of Corporate Foundations chairman Edgardo Amistad, Philippine Business for Social Progress chief executive adviser Klaas Oreel, and Philippine Business for Education associate director Wadel Cabrera III.

LCF president Cecile Alcantara says, “The private sector has supported many education projects in the past. Sadly, public education continues to face the same problems – one of the most significant of which is the classroom shortage. It is time for us to join forces and focus on a singular, measurable goal for public education.”

The 57-75 Movement is a consortium of private sector institutions aiming to reverse the education crisis through focused interventions and school-community actions. It is made up of Ateneo Center for Educational Development, Eugenia Apostol Foundation (formerly Foundation for Worldwide People Power), League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), Synergeia Foundation, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).

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For further information, please contact:
Carmela Casugbu / Majivel Marbibi
League of Corporate Foundations / Shark Media
0919-8522988/ 0916-5431550
communications@lcf.org.ph / jmsharkmedia@gmail.com