DepEd, NBSFI Ink P10-M Project for School Children

The Department of Education (DepEd), Radiowealth Finance Corporation (RFC) and the National Bookstore Foundation, Incorporated (NBSFI) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) last April 23 for a P10 million project that would support children going back to school this June.

The project provides school kits for 50,000 school children. Of this, 40,000 from Yolanda-affected areas and 10,000 for Region V.

DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro thanked RFC and NBSFI for giving something “symbolic” that would make students feel ready to go back to school, especially after they and their families had been devastated by the typhoon.

“This year this will mean so much to them because the kids will actually feel that they are ready. Iba ‘yung meron ka nang backpack, may notebook, may lapis, may jug. So this will actually go a very long way,” Luistro said.

According to RFC president Roberto Guevarra, this project is in in line with their 50th anniversary which they would be celebrating on April 30.

He added that “donating money for backpacks and school supplies is only a part of their bigger project.”

“We are assisting directly a total of 100,000 kids. The first 50,000 students will be assisted by a fund – CARD Microfinance Bank –that we will be giving out to the poorest of the poor to support the Zero Dropout Program.

“These other school materials will be to enhance their willingness to go to school,” Guevarra added.

Meanwhile, NBSFI would handle the procurement, packing, and delivery of school supplies and backpacks.

NBSFI Chair Trina Alindogan mentioned that they were planning to give books as well. NBSFI hoped that the school supplies would be brought to the children before the month of June so as to “help a lot of kids go back to school.”

Luistro regarded RFC and NBSFI as “God’s angels” and was grateful for “DepEd need not have to ask for help, but it was them who came to offer help.”

“I think all of this leads to resiliency of our kababayans—that in the worst times of disasters, the great bayanihan spirit is there. I was not joking when I said to please stand at our backs flap your wings, because in my mind you are God’s angels,” Luistro said.