THE BANK of the Philippine Islands, through its social development arm BPI Foundation, recently turned over printers, ink and bond paper to the Department of Education for the benefit of over 90,000 students in 60 public schools in seven regions.

Each public school received two printers, bottles of ink with 5,000 yields, and 100 reams of bond paper.

The donation is part of the “Bagong Taon, Bagong Pag-asa” project which aims to ease the challenges faced by public schools, educators and students as they adapt to a blended learning model and prepare for the return of face-to-face classes.

“Essential to every recovery is the mutual support and cooperation between the government and the private sector,” BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo said.

“We need more changemakers, especially during these challenging times and education is a key enabler for change and nation building.  We are delighted to support DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela program whose slogan – Bayanihan para sa Paaralan – is well aligned with our own advocacy for the Bayanihan culture,” he added.

DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali emphasized the importance of these donations in ensuring the students’ continued education.

“Mula sa paggawa ng lesson plan, pag-imprenta ng modules at activity sheets na sasagutin, pati pagbibigay ng feedback, kailangan ng mga papel at gadgets para maipalimbag ang lahat ng ito (From making a lesson plan, to printing modules and activity sheets, as well as for giving feedback, paper and gadgets are needed to print all of it),” he said.

The principal of Tangle Elementary School in Pampanga, Kathrene David, expressed her gratitude for the support.

“Bayanihan spirit is still alive. This is what we realize because indeed it was proven that we are never alone in our goals to provide quality education to our learners amid this situation. Thank you for these donations that will surely be of great help for us to deliver quality education to our learners,” she said.