CLARK FREEPORT — Some 28 students from San Marcelino, Zambales received scholarship grants and financial assistance worth P980,000 from the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Project on education.
In a simple ceremony held at the Clark Skills and Training Center (formerly Clark Polytechnic) here on Wednesday, CDC President and CEO Noel F. Manankil signed a MOA with 14 barangay chairmen from San Marcelino town, with CDC Director Ana Liza Peralta and CDC Assistant Vice President for External Affairs Rommel Narciso as witnesses.
After the signing of the agreement, Manankil turned over the checks which will cover the miscellaneous expenses of underprivileged students who reside in barangays San Isidro, Buhawen, Burgos, Consuelo Norte, Consuelo Sur, La Paz, Laoag, Linasin, Linusungan, Lucero, Nagbunga, Rabanes, San Guillermo, and Santa Fe.
San Marcelino, Zambales Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) President Romeo Jalasco and village chief Eddie Domingo, who were also signatories in the MOA, were present and received the checks for the students. San Marcelino has 18 villages.
Also present in the event are CDC Vice President for Administration and Finance Mariza Mandocdoc, CDC Assistant Vice President for Administration Zoraida Camello and CDC- Communications Division Manager Anthony Emmanuel Tulabut.
In his speech during the activity, Manankil expressed elation over the state-owned firm’s partnership with the communities of San Marcelino, Zambales in supporting deserving students.
Manankil also shared that the Freeport may also offer career opportunities to students should they continue to excel in their studies.
“You have to take this opportunity and treasure it and make sure that you finish your courses. Kasi pag natapos kayo, there will always be an opportunity for you especially here in Clark,” he added.
The student-beneficiaries from the said barangays were the second batch of recipients who were granted assistance through the CSR-educational program of CDC. Last month, 28 students from Nueva Ecija also benefitted from the same grant.
Other flagship educational programs by the state-owned firm include “Aeta Pagsasarili Program”, a partnership project of the state-owned firm with O.B. Montessori, and the CDC Excellence Award which recognizes college students who excel academically.