About 1,500 bags full of school supplies were distributed to indigent school children during the Widus Foundation’s “Balik Eskwela” project launch at Gueco Elementary School in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City.
“This is just the start of our three-part project where more than 2,000 underprivileged elementary students will receive backpacks filled with school supplies to help alleviate parents’ spending and encourage students to pursue their education,” Widus assistant vice president for corporate planning and compliance Neki Liwanag said.
The program which was done in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to address the major cause of school dropouts –lack of basic school materials.
Gueco Elementary School principal Maria Tara Clemente and DepEd Division Superintendent Leilani Cunanan commended the campaign and awarded the foundation’s board of trustees a plaque of appreciation.
Widus assistance vice president for finance Mitchel Estacio who was also present in the event said the project will serve as foundation’s annual back-to-school campaign.
“We hope to be able to help the community by empowering the youth through simple and direct ways of extending basic educational assistance,” Estacio added.
Santa Maria Elementary School and Teodoro P. Tinio Elementary School are also set to receive the same support from the foundation this month. About 20 students from the total number of recipients are relocated children from the war-inflicted town of Marawi. –Cha Cayabyab