MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
Peace and Development through Education and Health Programs
CONTENTS 03 ABOUT PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS 06 MESSAGES 10 MINDANAO PEACE & DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
INTERVENTION MAP
12 BRIDGING THE GAP 18 THE SCHOOL HOUSE THAT WE BUILT 20 A TRAINING GROUND FOR SKILLED WORKERS IN MINDANAO 23 PARTNERS IN PROGRESS 25 WORKING TOWARDS A THRIVING MINDANAO 26 CHANGING THE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION 30 LEARNING NEVER STOPS 32 SCHOLARSHIP OF HOPE 34 A YOUNG GIRL’S TRANSFORMATION 36 TEACHING INVENTIONS BOOST SCHOOLS IN BASILAN 38 A SHARED MISSION 40 THE INSPIRATION OF A FATHER IN NASIPIT 41 BRINGING FARMERS’ CHILDREN TO SCHOOL 42 A MISSION FROM ABOVE 44 REPORT SPONSORS 45 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
VISION
To lead the business sector’s efforts to reduce poverty in the Philippines
MISSION
PBSP is committed to poverty reduction by promoting business sector leadership in, and commitment to programs that lead to self-reliance
WE 1 BELIEVE
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Private enterprise, by creatively and efficiently utilizing capital, land, and labor, generates employment opportunities, expands the economic capabilities of our society, and improves the quality of our national life.
Private enterprise must discharge its social responsibility towards society in a way which befits its unique competence. It should involve itself more and more in social development for the total well-being of the nation.
The most valuable resource in any country is the person. The higher purpose of private enterprise is to build social and economic conditions, which shall promote the development of the person and the wellbeing of the community.
Private enterprise is financially and technologically equipped to participate actively in social development. In terms of scientific technology and managerial competence, private enterprise can help provide the total approach for social development in our depressed communities.
The growth and vigorous development of private enterprise must be anchored on sound economic and social conditions.
Private enterprise, together with other sectors of society, shares obligations and responsibilities, which it must discharge to the national community. The ultimate objective of the private enterprise is to help create and maintain in the Philippines a home worthy of the dignity of the person.
Therefore, To better fulfill its social responsibilities, private enterprise must earmark a portion of its income for social development. We hereby declare our commitment to PHILIPPINE BUSINESS FOR SOCIAL PROGRESS, which shall be private enterprise’s social development arm dedicated to the empowerment of the poor and self-reliance of communities.
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About Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Established in 1970, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) is the largest business-led social development organization in the country committed to poverty reduction. With more than 250 large, small and mediumscale companies as members, PBSP helps uplift the lives of Filipinos through social development programs that focus on Health, Education, the Environment, and Livelihood & Enterprise Development (HEEL). Since the start, PBSP has been at the forefront of advocating for stronger corporate citizenship with the aim of supporting inclusive national development. PBSP has been influencing the Philippine business community to integrate CSR practices into their core businesses and advocating the application of business strategies in addressing poverty. In 2010, PBSP began looking at the concepts of Inclusive Business and the need to use the Collective Impact framework when tackling big societal challenges. Promotion and development of Inclusive Business models for the strategic Platforms for Collective Engagements (PlaCEs) in the areas of Health, Education, Environment and Livelihood and Enterprise Development (HEEL) are at its core program agenda. PBSP is also continuously observing trends in Overseas Development Assistance and partners with both international and local nonprofit and aid organizations to promote inclusive national development. Because of its extensive experience in social development, PBSP has cultivated relationships with both the government and the private sectors that it leverages to participate in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) that empower communities around the Philippines.
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Mindanao Peace and Development Program: PBSP in Mindanao When I was asked in 1998 to again chair the Mindanao Committee of PBSP, I believed that PBSP should focus its efforts towards addressing the major challenges facing Mindanao. In order to sharpen our focus we commissioned a study that was undertaken by former Sec. Ernesto Garilao who himself had managed the PBSP Office in Mindanao as a hound social development professional. The study showed that while there were regions in Mindanao that were very progressive such as the northern corridor between Iligan and Cagayan, Davao and Socsargen, there were many areas where growth was sluggish - and these were the areas that had been most affected by conflicts. The Garilao report referred to these areas as “the second Mindanao.�
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To respond to the challenges outlined in the study, PBSP launched in 1999 the Mindanao Peace and Development Program (MPDP) whose priority projects were in education and literacy, health, and productivity and income improvement in 10 priority provinces—Basilan, Agusan del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, and North Cotabato. Augmenting these programs were governance and constituency building initiatives to improve the management skills of local governments. While there is still a lot of work to be done in Mindanao, the Mindanao Peace and Development Program has made a significant contribution in the last 15 years, most especially in education and health. EDUCATION PBSP had programs in 860 schools which involved 359,950 beneficiaries in the 10 priority provinces. A total of 568 classrooms were constructed, 75 science laboratories and 76 TLE workshops were set up, 183 audiovisual rooms provided, 131,654 books provided, 30,767 received educational assistance, and 141,945 were recipients of supplemental feeding. About 8,080 teachers and 535 school heads were trained. Thirty-four (34) Local School Boards were assisted while 353 PTAs were trained. HEALTH Thirty-eight (38) health center facilities were upgraded, three maternity clinics were constructed, 1,636 medical kits provided, 2,386 health personnel were trained. We deeply appreciate the assistance that our donor partners have provided to enable PBSP to make this modest contribution to peace and development in Mindanao. Thank you and Mabuhay!
PAUL G. DOMINGUEZ
VICE-CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, CHAIR, MINDANAO REGIONAL COMMITTEE, PBSP
PBSP remains committed to the development of Mindanao: Mindanao on the move Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) realigned its priorities in Mindanao in the late 1990s to focus on specific challenges in education and health. As Mr. Dominguez, our national vice-chairman, outlined in his message, our Mindanao Peace and Development Program was able to improve the lives of many people in this region. Our Mindanao Regional Center in Davao City also continues to manage our development efforts in Mindanao and we continue to look for ways to support the inclusive development agenda of the government.
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As we celebrate this important milestone in our commitment to Mindanao, we also realize that more needs to be done to ensure the economic gains of recent years impact the lives of the people of this region, especially the majority that remains impoverished. One of the new programs we are looking at is our Inclusive Business (IB) program, which involves the inclusion of our fellow Filipinos at the baseof-the-pyramid (BoP), to actively participate in economic activities in their areas. Inclusive Business has the potential to change the face of Mindanao. And a key component of this program is Inclusive Agribusiness. Inclusive Agribusiness has been identified as having the greatest potential in placing Mindanao at a competitive position in the upcoming integration of ASEAN economies because the region is well-suited to agricultural investments. Mindanao has long been considered as a possible food basin for the Philippines and with Inclusive Agribusiness it has the potential to uplift thousands of farmers and their families. As we continue to support peace and development efforts in Mindanao, we in PBSP will tirelessly look for ways to engage companies, partners and communities to bring more inclusive programs in the region. We believe social and economic inclusion is at the core of our efforts at reducing poverty in Mindanao and the Philippines. By empowering communities in Mindanao to become active and productive participants in economic activities, they will become contributors to the peace and development of their home region. We hope we can continue to count on your support and as the stories in this report will show, change can only happen when we, collectively, move as one.
RAFAEL C. LOPA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PBSP
MINDANAO PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INTERVENTION PROGRAMS
HEALTH EDUCATION LIVELIHOOD
BRIDGING THE GAP PBSP evaluates the gains of its 15-year peace and development program in Mindanao
Mindanao has always been rich in natural resources – verdant hills, abundant seas teeming with marine life, and fertile lands that yield significant produce. Ironically, it has also been poor in many aspects. For one, these assets have always been overshadowed by its negative image caused by insurgencies and rampant kidnapping in some areas. One of its root causes? Poverty. But 15 years ago, the region wasn’t just at a standstill due to violence and poverty. A study done by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) unearthed a second and much poorer Mindanao which was wallowing in a serious crisis in education MAKING PBSP MORE RELEVANT “Mindanao is the area in the country that has had high levels of poverty. It also had probably the most widespread cases of insurgencies. PBSP has always wanted to be where the need was greatest and this was the logic for its major contributions that it has been trying to make in the Mindanao. That is why 15 years ago, PBSP decided to review its operations in Mindanao and plan out what to do in the succeeding years by doing an analysis of where Mindanao was,” explained Paul G, Dominguez, vice chairman of PBSP, and chairman of its Mindanao Regional Committee. Former PBSP senior executive Prof. Ernesto Garilao
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was commissioned to do the study in 1999 which became the basis of the organization’s strategy for intervention in the Mindanao peace and development effort. “The study showed that while there were areas in Mindanao that were obviously very progressive such as Davao, there were also areas that have fallen behind because of a variety of reasons, and continue to have very limited prospects for growth. This is where the term “the second Mindanao” emerged. It was PBSP’s decision then to focus its efforts and to make a contribution to accelerating growth, addressing poverty in those specific areas that were identified in the Garilao study,” he said. STRIKING FINDINGS: A SECOND MINDANAO There were very revealing findings that came out of the study. One, there was a social volcano that was about to erupt then as development was skewed in several areas and there was a lot of discontent. According to Dominguez, there were gaps in human resource development, specifically education, that were very serious. “It was in the human resource sector where the gaps have become widest. A lot of the schools, education system have been very heavily affected, at the same time, interrupted by the intermittent conflict that had plagued certain areas in Mindanao over the last 30 years,” he said.
RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES To respond to the challenges, PBSP launched in 1999 the Mindanao Peace and Development Program which focused on improving interventions in education and literacy, health and water, and productivity and income improvement in the most impoverished areas most left behind. These 10 priority areas are Basilan, Agusan del Norte, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga Sibugay, Lanao del Sur, Sulu, Maguindanao, Sarangani, Zamboanga del Sur, and North Cotabato. These programs were augmented by governance and constituency building to improve the management capacities of local governments. The 1998 statistics showed that the conflict-affected, Muslim-dominated and IP-dominated areas (usually in Region 11) had lower rates of performance, income, enrollment and other important metrics than the lowest scoring areas of) than the lowest in Luzon and Visayas. Development assistance was also not reaching this socalled second Mindanao because most of the donors shied away due to the peace and order situation. There was also the lack of delivery mechanisms in these areas. Most of the casualties of the conflict then were young people aged 14 to 21 – those who were supposed to be in school but weren’t. Statistics also showed that only 10 out of 100 students were able to graduate from high school on time in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The drop out rate in elementary was 12 percent. Among the Mindanao regions, ARMM had the highest drop out rate at 20 percent.
A 10-year Catch-up Program was implemented to bring the living standards in the poorer provinces in ARMM and other conflict-affected areas on par with the more progressive areas in Mindanao. The study was also shared with the media to create awareness, and attract donor support. At that time, PBSP was the only NGO working in Mindanao with such a wide scope of services. It’s program became the benchmark for other donors and organizations because it had models to show. In 2000, a budget of ₱800 million was initially targeted to be raised for the program but over the course of 15 years, PBSP was able to raise a total of ₱1.1 billion from donors, member-companies and partners who believed in the cause.
Moreover, the quality of education that the children received was also not on par with their counterparts in Luzon and Visayas. In the health sector, the most urgent need were health services and simple facilities for storage of vaccines. Few people in these areas were health conscious, compounding the challenges facing the sector. ACCESS GOVERNANCE
QUALITY
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PBSP provided a comprehensive approach to address the quality, access & governance in education
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
Later, PBSP focused on education and health and deprioritized some of the initial projects on productivity and income enhancement to organizations who had more funds and were better equipped to implement it. In education, literacy programs were the entry point of interventions in Basilan and Jolo. Review classes were organized for Education graduates who would like to take the Licensure Exam for Teachers (LET). At that time, these graduates didn’t know how to fill up forms and to follow instructions. But the bigger challenge was that they didn’t have birth certificates and diplomas as well so they couldn’t comply with the requirements of the LET exam.
‘There was a second and much poorer Mindanao that has fallen behind because of a variety of reasons, and continue to have very limited prospects for growth.’ These issues prompted PBSP to focus instead on formal education. To address access to education, it expanded it’s classroom assistance project by including classroom construction to increase the the number of children that could attend school. Classrooms came complete with chairs and tables. Teacher’s trainings were given and facilities like science laboratories and audio-visual materials were provided to improve content and delivery. Educational assistance was given to address daily needs such as school supplies, uniforms, and transportation expenses. Feeding programs were also implemented in target schools in Basilan and other areas. PBSP helped Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) engage in livelihood activities. Facilities were also given to schools to further improve their Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) subject while technical schools were encouraged to offer more technical vocational short courses that could cater to the industries within their areas. In Tawi-Tawi for instance, many students studied cellphone repair and started earning their own income.
populace. Hence, local people were mobilized and deployed while health centers were equipped and upgraded in Zamboanga City and Agusan del Norte. Water systems were set up to address health problems. Maternity and lying-in clinics were built and equipped with facilities so they could be accredited under PhilHealth. Barangay health workers (BHWs) were trained on first-aid and maternal and child care services as well as equipped with medical kits. Rural Health Units or Centers (RHUs/RHCs) were encouraged to deploy midwives in barangays where there were BHWs. Refrigerators and ice chests (coolers) were provided to store vaccines that were being transported to RHUs. Among the donors with long-standing assistance for the MPDP are Fundacion Humanismo Y Democracia and Philam Foundation.
MAJOR FUNDERS OF MPDP
Volunteer teachers were also funded. School heads (principals and teachers-in-charge) were trained to be effective instructional leaders and managers. Local school boards (LSB) were empowered and taught how to put to good use their special education fund. PBSP introduced the concept of the Municipal Education Agenda to local government units to encourage a more collective approach to solving problems in their respective towns and cities. Among the most cooperative LSBs who continued PBSP’s programs were those in Saranggani under former Governor Miguel Dominguez and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi under current Mayor Jasper Que. For the health sector, PBSP’s goals were to bring the health services nearer to the communities and to espouse a health-seeking behavior among the
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TAKING GREAT STRIDES While there is still a lot of work to be done in Mindanao, the Mindanao Peace and Development Program was able to yield positive results in the areas of intervention for both education and health. Fifteen percent (860 schools and 359,950 beneficiaries) in the 10 priority areas were reached. A total of 568 classrooms were constructed, 75 science laboratories and 76 TLE workshops were set up, 183 audio-visual rooms provided, 131,654 books provided, 30,767 received educational assistance, and 141,945 were recipients of supplemental feeding. About 8,080 teachers and 535 school heads were trained. Thirty-four LSBs were assisted while 353 PTAs were trained. For health, 38 health center facilities were upgraded, three maternity clinics were constructed, 1,636 medical kits provided, 2,386 health personnel were trained. National Achievement Test (NAT) scores soared to 47 percent in elementary and 10 percent in high school in Region IX, XII, CARAGA and ARMM. High school enrolment increased to 64.60 percent while 84 percent of students are now able to finish high school in these areas. Beyond these numbers comes the most significant accomplishment which is the improvement in the lives of many people in Mindanao. “I think PBSP’s major contribution has been to focus local government attention to the gaps of human resource challenges. Mindanao is no longer an island whose growth is going to be dependent on its natural resources, simply because our population has become very large. Our (Mindanao’s) growth and performance in the future is going to be directly dependent on how
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well we are able to educate our people because they are now are our principal resource that have to be mobilized to address poverty and bring about economic growth, especially in the rural areas. I’m certain that PBSP will continue to make a contribution not only in the human resource sector but also in addressing the income gaps in the rural sector through this inclusive business imperative (IBI) model that we’re trying to promote,” ends Dominguez.
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Eleven years ago, the Tausug children living
in Brgy. Karungdong, and other nearby barrios in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, would silently endure the four-hour walk daily to and from their homes and their schools just to be able to study. Come lunchtime, the children would hungrily walk back to the woods to get their ‘packed’ food which they tied to the bark and branches of the trees before going to school that morning. They did this because they were ashamed of their meager meals. Sadly, sometimes there was no food to come back for. The children would be lucky to find leftovers from their ‘packed’ meals which were devoured by dogs and other animals living in the area. These conditions, according to Salip Angkaya Patal Elementary School teacher Siliperlma Jurakman were the reasons why many students dropped out early in their elementary years. Jurakman, the first volunteer teacher in the school, found a way to ease the difficulties of the children by initially holding classes in the barangay hall. At that time, there weren’t any chairs so the students would sit and write on the cemented floor. Later, when the lot for what would be the grounds of Salip Angkaya Patal Elementary School was donated 18
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THE SCHOOL to them by a kind-hearted local, she and the parents built a school shack using their own hard-earned money. The makeshift classroom made of nipa and wood was divided into two to accommodate 78 Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. Jurakman was so determined to make it all happen despite the limited resources that she borrowed the blackboard of the nearby school despite its principal’s strong opposition. “Marami naman kasi silang blackboard kaya hiniram ko ‘yung isa. (They have plenty of blackboards so I borrowed one),” she said. While it was simple, inconvenient, and insufficient, the children were more than happy to be in school. “Natatawa ako tuwing makikita ko silang nagsusulat. Kasi wala kaming upuan at mga mesa noon kaya nagsusulat sila sa likuran ng mga kaklase nila. Pag tapos na ‘yung isa, magpapalitan sila at ‘yung isa naman ang magsusulat sa likuran niya. Hindi sila makasulat sa sahig kasi lupa pa ito. Hindi nagtagal nakapagpagawa kami ng upuan gawa sa slab ng niyog. (I laugh whenever I see them writing on their classmates’ backs. We didn’t have chairs and tables yet so they were content with taking turns writing on their classmates’ backs. They couldn’t write on the floor because our floor was still bare earth then. It wasn’t long before we were able to build chairs from coconut slabs),” recalled Jurakman.
HOUSE THAT WE BUILT AT LAST, A REAL SCHOOLHOUSE Fortunately, everything changed when they joined the district’s Buwan ng Wika celebrations and got noticed by their district supervisor. Upon learning of the plight of the children, Jurakman was advised to complete the necessary requirements so their school could be included as one of the recipients of a classroom donation by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
And true enough, Salip Angkaya Patal Elementary School was given not just one, but three classrooms by PBSP through the generous support of Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects and its membercompanies. So on November 18, 2003, the brandnew classrooms which were built within 45 days finally opened to the sheer delight of the students who even had their own chairs and tables now. For a certain period, PBSP also supported a feeding program twice a week that involved the parents in the preparation of food for their children. According to Jurakman, the students’ academic performance has rapidly improved since these interventions. Principal Nur-Aina Amilhasan reported that they climbed to third place overall in five subject areas – English,
Science, Filipino, Mathematics and Makabayan – in an academic contest in the district last year. “Not only that but also the children are also very sporty now. They also excel in volleyball, and track and field. Last year, we were first runner-up in the district athletic meet,” proudly shared Amilhasan who also said that student population also grew from 78 to 236. More than that, students are now thinking of going to college to pursue their dreams. Grade 6 student Shelda Kadik and her classmate, Dinalyn Paradji, are both hoping to be teachers someday to help other underprivileged children like them gain access to education. “Ang laki ng naitulong ng PBSP sa mga bata dito. Hindi na sila nahihirapan mag-aral sa ibang eskuwelahan na malalayo kasi meron nang malapit dito sa kanilang bahay. Mga gastos nila bumaba na. Marunong na silang bumasa kasi meron na silang paaralan. (PBSP has helped the kids in a big way. They’re no longer having difficulty going to far-away schools because they have one now that’s near their homes. Their expenses have also gone down. They know how to read now because they already have a school of their own),” ended Jurakman.
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Mohammad Nur Tidal, Principal of Tawi-Tawi School of Arts and Trade
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A training ground for skilled workers in Mindanao While
schools in other areas had low enrolment and a number of drop-outs due to a variety of reasons, the Tawi-Tawi School of Arts and Trade (TTSAT) in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi is completely facing the opposite dilemma – it is bursting with students! In fact, it even had to refuse some because it couldn’t accommodate them anymore due to the shortage in facilities. The burgeoning student population, now at over 1,500, all pin their hopes of a better life to this technical school which promises huge opportunities for them when they graduate. “Patuloy na nag-iincrease ang enrolment. Kami na ang umaayaw sa mga estudyante dahil sa kakulangan sa gamit. Hindi sila lahat kaya ma-accommodate sa mga shops. (Enrolment continues to increase. We are the ones refusing to accept students because of the shortage in equipment and tools. We couldn’t accommodate everyone in the shops.) Based on the results of the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE), we learned that there are plenty of students here who want to go into voc-tech (vocational-technical) due to the many employment opportunities,”
explains Mohammad Nur A. Tidal, secondary school principal of TTSAT. MAKING THEM JOB-READY According to him, TTSAT was established in 1977 initially to address the issue of displaced Muslims after Martial Law was declared in 1972. The government had set up a manpower training school to provide them skills and training that would help them find jobs. Later, TTSAT realigned its programs to be able to cater to the children of former MNLF combatants. It has since grown and evolved into one of the biggest trade schools in Mindanao today. As a technical school, TTSAT’s strength lies in its tech-voc education which trains students to be job-ready by the time they graduate from high school. It offers courses in drafting, electronics, furniture and cabinet making, cosmetology, foods and garments trade, Information and Communications Technology, and Shielded Metal Art Welding.
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CHALLENGES Before TTSAT’s partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), it could not effectively function as a trade school due to the lack of facilities. “Sa academics wala kaming problema kasi ang bata papaupuin mo lang ‘yan sa isang classroom, then ang teacher pagturuin mo, okay na ‘yun. (In academics, we don’t have any problem because you can just ask the students to sit in the classroom and the teacher to teach them, and learning will happen.) But in the shop, it’s different. They have a different set-up – a working area, assembly area, lecture area, and stock room. You have to have hands-on learning so the children will really learn,” said Tidal. In 2003, PBSP and its partners came and provided the necessary facilities like science equipment, apparatus and even a modern laboratory worth Php150,000. They received microscopes, beakers, other tools, and even received funds for chemicals to be used for experiments. Subsequently, PBSP gave tools and equipment for their Technology and Livelihood (TLE) subject. Among these were sewing machines, cooking utensils, hand tools, etc. TTSAT also received a welding machine and other tools for the automotive shop. For its Smart Teachers Learning Resource Center (TLRC), PBSP provided 10 computer units that are now being used by fourth year high school students in their Computer elective subject. EARNING WHILE LEARNING “Bumabalik ang sigla ng voc-tech sa school. (The school’s enthusiasm for voc-tech has returned.) Every school year, enrolment continues to go up because PBSP was able to provide us additional tools and equipment for the children,” said Tidal. More than the increase in enrolment, and number of trade courses due to the provision of facilities and equipment, TTSAT was also able to generate income through chairs fabrication. The students, even while still developing their skills, are already earning. “In the furniture and cabinet-making shop, our students are already doing their own doors and benches. They are also engaged in minor repair of some school facilities. When PBSP commissioned us to manufacture chairs, we asked the help of the 22
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students to do it, with the guidance of the teacher. In our TLE classes, our students make their own gowns for their JS Prom, pillowcases, pajamas, curtains, and even bags,” Tidal proudly said. Because of these life skills, the students learned to value their education more, and felt very useful to the school. “They feel much closer to their teachers and to the school. They feel more important and useful because they are able to share their skills and service to help the school. Some of our students are able to get emergency jobs in carpentry and electronics. We have graduates who are now working in Malaysia as skilled workers while others have started their own businesses,” Tidal said. FULFILLING DREAMS Nineteen-year-old Jasani M. Abdul, is among those who values the education he gets at TTSAT. The senior high school student would like to become a teacher but he has also been developing his skills as a furniture-maker. This, he said, would be his second profession in case things don’t work out for him in teaching. “Sa lahat ng courses dito, ito lang nagustuhan ko i-major kasi very interesting dito sa furniture shop. Maganda ang trabaho dito tapos marami tayong matutunan sa paggawa ng furniture tulad ng chairs, tables, cabinets. Ang pangarap ko talaga ay maging teacher. Kung saan ka interesado dapat doon ka para hindi ka mahirapan. Pero pag nakatapos ako at hindi ako maging teacher, ito nalang ang gagawin ko. Gagawa ako ng furniture para maibenta (Of all the courses here, I chose furniture making because this is what I’m most interested in. We learn a lot in making furniture such as chairs, tables, cabinets. My dream is to become a teacher. I believe you should pursue what you’re most interested in so you wouldn’t have a hard time in your career. But if I graduate and do not become a teacher, this is what I will do. I will create furniture and sell it),” shared Abdul. With the continuous support from PBSP and its partners, TTSAT is determined to produce more skilled workers in Mindanao who can further showcase the Filipino skill, talent and artistry to the country and the world.
Mayor Jasper Que, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
PARTNERS IN PROGRESS The local executive of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi shares how PBSP inspired their local school board to do more for education
For a town mayor, it can be embarrassing to be told by a visitor that your town is having problems in education. It’s even more depressing if you learn that education standards have gone really down in your area of governance. That was what happened to Jasper Que, the young local chief executive of Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. But rather than react negatively about it, he took the feedback from Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) constructively and acted on it. “The first time I talked to representatives from PBSP and learned how they’re helping in the education sector, I immediately became interested because education is also my personal advocacy,” said Mayor Que. Because of this shared mission, the partnership between PBSP and Que’s administration flourished.
It allowed PBSP to empower and capacitate the local school board (LSB) by conducting trainings. They also helped the LSB identify and evaluate the gaps in education in Bongao. “In our data gathering, we learned the real state of education in Tawi-Tawi. Nakakalungkot siya kasi mababa siya, nasa standard ito na hindi katanggaptanggap. (It’s sad because it was low, it wouldn’t pass the standards),” he revealed. Mayor Que and the LSB, through the guidance of PBSP, organized the Municipal Education Agenda to discuss their findings with the stakeholders. They impressed upon them that the setbacks in education weren’t just the fault of one person, but everyone — the local government, the schools, the teachers, and even the parents. Hence, the collective effort of all is needed to solve it.
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STEPPING UP TO THE CHALLENGE “Ang PBSP kasi parang gina-guide lang tayo. Hindi naman ‘yan forever lang andito sa’yo. At hindi ka rin puwede mag-rely lang sa PBSP. You have to make the most out of it (their assistance). You have to grab the opportunity kung anong makuha mo sa PBSP through learnings and experiences. Huwag ‘yung material na bagay. ‘Yun ang isa sa mga natutunan namin dito (PBSP is here to guide us. But they’re not forever with you so you cannot just rely on them all the time. You have to grab the opportunity, whatever it is, through learnings and experiences, not the material things. That’s what we’ve learned here),” shared Mayor Que. “So pag-alis ng PBSP, lalo akong na-challenge. Magisa nalang tayo LSB kaya ituloy natin ito (So when the program with PBSP ended, I and the LSB were challenged to continue the programs).” From then on, they stepped up to the challenge and began creating programs that not only focused on improving school infrastructure but on those that improve long-term results. With these interventions, Mayor Que said their town’s National Achievement Test results increased by seven to eight percent. This was followed by a renewed sense of purpose among the teachers who provided students with a more motivating environment for learning. “Natutuwa kami kasi lalong lumalakas ang programa. Hindi tulad dati na pag may inintroduce kang programa, maraming tanong. Since nakainvest na tayo at naayos natin, hindi na mahirap magsalita kung ano ang reality. Natatangap ng tao kung may mali sila. Tulong-tulong lahat. Isang malaking pasasalamat namin
sa PBSP na naging parte sila ng programang ito. Isa sila sa nakacontribute sa amin sa experience at learnings. (We are happy because we were able to improve and extend our programs. Unlike before that when you introduced something, they would usually ask too many questions but there wasn’t a lot of resistance this time. Since we were able to address their challenges and invest in education, they weren’t afraid to voice out other problems. People were able to accept it if they had shortcomings. Everybody just helped. We are truly grateful to PBSP for being part of our programs. PBSP contributed to our experience and learnings),” he said. For Mayor Que, the best thing about all these is that the stakeholders are now empowered. He is confident that even without him, each one will continue to do their share to sustain what has been started and build on the programs.
‘Ang PBSP kasi parang gina-guide
lang
tayo.
Hindi naman ‘yan forever lang andito sa’yo. At hindi ka rin puwede mag-rely lang sa PBSP. ‘
WORKING TOWARDS A THRIVING MINDANAO
Dr. Eddie Alih, President of Mindanao Upliftment Foundation for Tawi-Tawi, Inc.
With a partnership spanning almost six years,
the Mindanao Upliftment Foundation for Tawi-Tawi, Inc. (MUFTI) and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) have been working together to improve the trading situation in Mindanao, particularly in province of Tawi-Tawi. For MUFTI president Dr. Eddie Alih, the institutional capacity-building that PBSP provided jumpstarted everything. “Through PBSP, the financial support coming from the Angelo King Foundation led to the construction of our building and this has not only served as an office but also as a training center,” said Dr. Alih. Aside from contributions in the health and educational sectors, MUFTI and PBSP have made substantial achievements in livelihood and helped former MNLF combatants start anew. This was done through MUFTI’s training center for community enterprise development where the combatants were provided with start-up kits that included farm animals and water pumps. SUPPORT FOR FARMERS AND FISHERMEN Seaweed farming is a major activity and source of income in Tawi-Tawi. It is responsible for around 60 percent of the country’s total seaweed production. MUFTI offers incentives to seaweed producers who choose to market their products through them. The additional provision of livelihood opportunities like
financial assistance and agricultural materials to farmers and fishermen has helped increase their income and enabled them to expand their marketing channels beyond the province and as far as Davao and the Visayas region. “The support given by PBSP to MUFTI created a sort of promotion committee because while the financial support is given by PBSP, it is also getting it from other funding institutions. So in effect, we are made known to these funding institutions through the efforts of Philippine Business for Social Progress,” he said. Moreover, Dr. Alih said they were able to create their own identity through the assistance from PBSP. “The foundation capacitated us to manage and implement projects, and carry on our mission to help address the problems that we have in Tawi-Tawi,” he added. PLANS ON THE BANGSAMORO Given the solid relationship that PBSP and MUFTI have established, Dr. Alih is hopeful that they can also explore initiatives that can complement the government’s efforts in the Bangsamoro Comprehensive Agreement. “The people need PBSP to provide other engagements that will enhance the development of the Bangsamoro. There is a need for us to get together, to bring peace in Mindanao. But we know that the change should start from us here. It should start from within. We can show PBSP that we are determined to bring peace to the whole Mindanao and this will also serve as encouragement for funding institutions to really work with us because they see in us that with our commitment and determination we can do something for our people,” Dr. Alih said.
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
25
CHANGING THE FUTURE THROUGH EDUCATION
Three
makeshift classrooms, three shared classes, three teachers. This was how principal Rosenitta Viernes, described Gugawang Bugas Elementary School several years ago. Not once in her entire stint in this school did she expect it to become one of the performing schools in the National Achievement Test someday. Gugawang Bugas Elementary School is the only school in the mountainous terrain of Sitio Gugawang Bugas, in the municipality of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay. Each classroom made of local bamboo or sawali was shared by 45 to 48 students belonging to different classes. “Ang size ng classroom namin nun 5x6 masikip talaga, combination pa ang klase, then in every classroom two classes were occupying it (The size of our classroom then was 5x6, it was really too narrow),” recalled Viernes. But the problem was not limited to a lack of resources. According to Viernes, 60 percent of the students were malnourished largely as a result of the lack of work opportunities in the community. Most of them opted to leave their class in the middle of the week to help their family make both ends meet. “Some pupils [are engaged in] child labor. ‘Pag may makakain na sila, dun sila papasok sa paaralan (When they have food to eat, that’s the time they will go to school),” she added. PROBLEM OF POVERTY Rice and corn farming is the primary source of livelihood in Sitio Gugawang Bugas. But due to the high cost of fertilizers, some residents resort to rubber tapping. It is the process of collecting a substance called “latex” from a rubber tree. Patronilo Layo, a resident of Sitio Gugawang Bugas, admitted that this kind of livelihood is not enough to raise a family. “Kaunti lang ang matanim namin dahil wala kaming pambili ng abono. Mahirap pag walang abono ang tanim, hindi mabuti ang tubo, (We only had a few crops because we didn’t have money to buy fertilizer. It’s hard when you don’t have fertilizer, the growth of 28
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
the crops is not good)” Layo said. His children had to leave class because they didn’t have enough food. He even recalled a time when his children were absent from school for three days because they didn’t have “baon” or anything that they can eat in school. LIFE-CHANGING INTERVENTIONS In 2007, Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) evaluated the situation of Gugawang Bugas Elementary School. After a month of study, PBSP together with our member-companies and partners donated a concrete three-classroom building. “Pagdating ng PBSP parang guminhawa ang mga guro pati mga bata dahil conducive for learning na ang classroom nila. (When PBSP came, the teachers and children felt good because the classrooms became conducive for learning),” he said. PBSP also found out that aside from the resources, the absences and dropouts were due to hunger and poverty. Hence, a feeding program was launched in the school to encourage students to attend class. “Ang problema dito sa paaralan ay ‘yong pagkain talaga kaya binigyan kami ng Php200,000 para sa pagkain ng mga bata (The problem with this school was really food that’s why we were given Php200,000 for the food of the children),” Viernes said. Subsequently, PBSP provided livelihood training for the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) in Gugawang Bugas in 2008. The PTA was given Php45,000 as a starting capital. Most of the parents invested the money on livestock and crops. Layo was one of the beneficiaries of the livelihood program. He received an amount to start a business, and paid it with very minimal interest. “Itong livelihood program talagang malaking tulong sa amin, sa aming anak sa pag-aral, at nakatulong rin sa pagkain (This livelihood program was a big help to us, in the schooling of my children, and it even became our source of food),” he said.
LASTING IMPACT Like Layo, Claritta Nieves, was one of the recipients of PBSP’s livelihood program in Gugawang Bugas. She would have wanted to finish her education but her family couldn’t afford to send her to college. When she graduated from high school, she married her boyfriend at the age of 18. She thought it was a good decision because her boyfriend who was 24, had a job at that time. “Naisip kong okay lang at 24 na naman ang boyfriend ko. Hindi ko naisip na dapat pala maghanap-buhay muna para may pundasyon bago magpamilya (I thought it was just okay because my boyfriend then was already 24. I didn’t realize that you had to work first to be able to have a foundation to be able to support a family),” she confided. The reality of a difficult life kicked in as they started to have children. Nieves felt uncertain about giving all her six children the education she dreamed before. Her husband only relied on farming, which could hardly sustain their everyday living.
LGU SUPPORT Former Titay Mayor Gil Rillera, expressed his strong support to PBSP when it first stepped into his municipality. “Matindi talaga ang suporta namin kasi noong taon na ‘yon, kulang-kulang ang school building dito sa Titay (We supported them as well because during that year, there was a shortage of school buildings here in Titay),” he shared. “Malaki ang pasalamat namin sa PBSP, sa pagbigay nila ng malaking tulong (We are so thankful to PBSP for the big help they’ve given us such as the school building.).” Rillera was the mayor of Titay when PBSP entered Sitio Gugawang Bugas. He helped expedite the processing of the permits and acquisition of the land for Gugawang Bugas Elementary School which was then part of the protected area of the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR).
“Natakot ako kasi ang hirap ng buhay (I got afraid because life was hard.),” she said.
IMPROVED PERFORMANCE Viernes proudly enumerated the overall improvement of Gugawang Bugas elementary school when PBSP intervened. Students increased from 155 to 180 students. Attendance is now 100 percent.
Fortunately, Nieves was one of the parents in Gugawang Bugas who received a starting capital when PBSP rolled out a livelihood program. She invested on backyard hog raising which up to now has been helping the family in their daily expenses.
“Na-encourage na sila mag-aral. Kung hindi lang magkasakit ang bata, wala talagang absences (They were already encouraged to attend school. If the kids didn’t get sick, there wouldn’t be any absences),” she shared.
For her, this small capital gave her children the assurance of getting something she never had – a diploma. Now, her eldest child had already finished a two-year vocational course in Cebu. The second is in third year college, taking up Education.
Students also improved their performance in class. Their Mean Percentage Score in the National Achievement Test (NAT) increased significantly from 78.19 in school year 2011-2012, to 81.50 in 20122013, and finally to 89.50 in the 2013-2014 NAT.
“Ang pangarap ng aking asawa ay kahit mahirap lang kami maitaguyod namin ang pag-aaral ng aming mga anak. Masayang-masaya kami noong dumating ang PBSP na handang tumulong sa aming mahihirap na nangangarap na makapagtapos ang aming mga anak (The dream of my husband and my dream is to be able to send our children to school despite our poor condition. That’s why we were so happy when PBSP came. They were ready to help us support our kids in finishing school.),” Nieves said.
“Always Top 5 [kami] sa National Achievement Test. Ngayong taon na ito, number 1 na kami sa buong Titay district! (We are always Top 5 in the NAT. this year, we are number 1 in the entire Titay district!),” Viernes proudly said, adding that the school is also a Brigada Eskuwela awardee.
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
29
LEARNING NEVER STOPS
Training teachers to achieve better student performance A class of Filipino students in Zamboanga City speaking in straight Spanish does not exactly fit one’s typical concept of public classrooms here in the country. But surreal as it may seem, Don Pablo Lorenzo Sr. Memorial High School in Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City has been integrating the foreign language into their curriculum for four years now. Students from Grade 7 to fourth year high school are learning Spanish in their modern speech laboratory, which was made possible through the partnership of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Cooperacion Española, and Fundacion Humanismo Y Democracia (H+D). ESTABLISHING INTERVENTIONS Teacher Jonathan Kawaguchi said the offering of the Spanish subject stemmed from the school’s partnership with PBSP which began in 1994. Two months after the school’s first Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meeting, they were visited by former Ambassador Bienvenido A. Tan, Jr. who personally turned over two microscopes for their science building. A series of teacher trainings followed where educators were also taught how to prepare a project proposal. This was followed by the conceptualization of the speech laboratory. Eventually, more projects were added like the turnover of armchairs and notebooks, English Language Proficiency training for teachers, the construction of the Math Garden, and provision of other equipment for the speech and science laboratories. School principal Dr. Maria Pilar Gregorio said the interventions led to positive results
such as the significant increase in students’ Mean Percentage Score (MPS) and better performance in the National Achievement Test. “The MPS of the school has increased significantly from 37 percent to 50 percent, an increase of about 14 percent and this schoolyear, an increase of 12 percent from the previous year. So it means that the use of these equipment greatly helped us, especially in Science and in English,” shared Gregorio. MOVING FORWARD Kawaguchi added that the school has come a long way since the time they were lacking in resources. The school’s lack of equipment affected the teachers’ way of teaching. “If the equipment is lacking, the teacher has to compensate. But if the needed materials are not available, no matter how much the teacher wants to be effective, the delivery of the learning process becomes delayed,” he said. There was even one instance when the Science teachers had to improvise and make do with makeshift Erlinmeyer flasks and Bunsen burners. At that time, the school didn’t have a microscope yet, so a teacher resolved to substitute the real thing with a diagram just to be able to teach the students about its parts. The best tools are not guaranteed to produce students with exceptionally high grades but it can definitely enhance the teaching and learning. As Kawaguchi said regarding the trainings they received, “Maganda yung exposure as a teacher kasi alam niyo minsan, although we are already teachers, kailangan din namin mag-improve (The exposure to the trainings was very beneficial because even if we are already teachers, we also need to improve) to be able to effectively teach the students.”
Scholarship of Hope A scholar from Basilan shares how the gift of education has changed her life
Beverly Samson, one of the scholars of Philam Foundation
At the age of nine, Grade 4 student Beverly Samson from Lamitan, Basilan already broke several records. First, she was the first child of their family in Basilan to get out of the war-torn province and travel to Davao for an important speaking engagement. Second, she was the first child to get a standing ovation from a huge crowd that gathered at Philippine Business for Social Progress’ (PBSP) Mindanao Membership Meeting (MMM) in 2005. And third, she was the first scholar to get invited for the second time to share her story publicly, this time at the Foundation’s Annual Membership Meeting in Manila in 2006. Samson moved the attendees, composed of PBSP employees, and member-companies through her inspiring speech about how the gift of education - given by Philam Foundation through PBSP - has changed her life and the life of her family for the better. Eleven years after that historic occasion, the 20-year-old Samson once again finds herself facing the same organization (through video) in the 2014 MMM, eager to express her gratitude 32
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
and to show how the scholarship assistance has touched her life in more ways than one. SURVIVING A HARD LIFE The eldest of two children, Samson was born to a poor family. Her father worked as a laborer while her mother took care of the children. They lived in a house that used to be a pigpen, with no electricity at home. On days when there is no food on the table, their family would top their hot rice with salt and water or soy sauce with oil. She and her younger sister would take turns using their uniform, shoes and bags in going to school. But even despite these hardships, she said they were happy. When her scholarship from the Philam Foundation through PBSP came, Samson began to see a brighter future ahead for her family. The scholarship assistance covered miscellaneous expenses, school supplies, and meals throughout her elementary education. Because of this huge help, her mother was able to save and use the funds for medical emergencies and other important matters
AIMING HIGH Samson, on the other hand, valued her education even more because she didn’t want to let her sponsors down. She wanted to prove that she was was deserving of the scholarship. “Ayaw ko mag-absent sa school kahit mataas lagnat ko o umuulan, hindi ako nag-aabsent hangga’t kaya ko. Gusto ko perfect attendance. Ayoko na kahit sakit maging hindrance sa studies ko. Kasi one day lang na i-absent ko, parang ang laki na ng namiss ko (I didn’t want to be absent in school even if I have fever or it is raining. I wanted to have perfect attendance. I don’t want my sickness to be a hindrance to my studies because I feel that I miss a lot even with just a day out of school),” recalled Samson who was the class valedictorian in elementary and high school. Of course, her primary motivation for excelling to this day is her family. She is determined to uplift them out of poverty when she graduates from college. “Maghahanap ako ng trabaho right after college. Gusto ko makatulong sa pamilya ko. Gusto ko makapagbigay ng mga pangangailangan nila. Naaawa ako sa mama ko kasi nag-wowork siya bilang helper sa auntie ko para mabigyan lang ako ng 300 pesos per month. Kaya iniisip ko someday magbubuhay reyna rin ang mama ko, (I will look for a job right after college. I want to help my family. I want to be able to provide for their needs. I pity my mother because she is working as a househelp in my aunt’s house just so she could give me Php300 a month. So I’m hoping someday she will also live like a queen),” shared the fourth year Electrical Engineering student at the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU). REAPING THE FRUITS Samson’s elementary scholarship did not just lay the foundation for her education but it has also given her valuable life skills. “Sa tingin ko, hindi lang sa financial support at school materials ako natulungan. Mas naging optimistic person ako. Kahit gaano kalaki ang problema, I will not back out. Ayaw ko maging negative, iniisip ko lahat positive, kakayanin ko lahat. (I think it helped me not just financially but also in terms of shaping my outlook in life. I became an optimistic person. No matter how big the problem is, I will not back out.) It also gave me encouragement and hope to reach my goals someday no matter how unfortunate my family’s status in life is. It encouraged me to become a successful person,” she said.
When it comes to public speaking, Samson said her talks at PBSP events also drew her out of her shell. “Nung una mahiyain ako. Pero dahil sa pagsasalita sa PBSP events, I learned to face my fears. Nadevelop talaga self-confidence ko. Kaya ko nang i-express sarili ko. (At first, I was shy. But I learned to face my fears during my speaking engagements at PBSP events. My self-confidence was developed. I’m now able to express myself better.) I believe experience is the best teacher. Once you have the experience in relating to other people, they will feel how serious you are. Kaya masaya ako na may mga taong na-encourage at nabigyan ko ng hope through my story. (That’s why I am happy that there were people who were encouraged and given hope through my story),” added Samson who also developed into an athlete, playing volleyball, basketball and softball. PAYING IT FORWARD She is now trying to give back the valuable help she’s been receiving by serving as lector/commentator in church during masses, and by sharing her knowledge with her fellow students. “Nagtututor ako ng Math sa mga classmates ko pati sa mga taga-Ateneo de Zamboanga. Libre lang ‘yun kasi gusto ko lang ishare ‘yung knowledge ko. Kung minsan natutuwa sila at binibigyan nila ako ng monetary token. (I teach Math to my classmates and even to students in Ateneo de Zamboanga. My service is free because I just want to share my knowledge. But sometimes they are so thankful that they give me some cash)” Samson said. For now, she believes excelling in her studies and these little things are the only way she can repay her benefactors for all the help they’ve given. If she will be given another opportunity to speak before a PBSP event, Samson would like to tell them this: Unang una, thank you kasi nag-change talaga yung life ko. Maraming opportunities at doors na nabuksan. Nagmature ako na kaya ko na i-handle lahat. Kung wala kayo, hindi ako makakapunta ng high school at college. Nung dumating kayo, kayo ang first source ko paakyat. Kung wala kayo, siguro wala rin ako dito ngayon (First of all, thank you so much because your help truly changed my life.. Many opportunities and doors were opened to me. I became mature enough to handle everything. If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t have been able to go to high school and college. When you came, you were my first source of hope. If you weren’t here, I guess I wouldn’t be here as well),” concluded Samson.
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
33
A young girl’s transformation
She
wants to become an accountant, a singer, a dancer, a teacher, and a journalist. With her confidence, guts, and many talents, GeeJay Facundo has all the time in the world to explore and do anything that would interest her.
34
Geejay Facundo, one of the scholars of Philam Foundation
At a very young age, she knew she had a 50-50 chance of getting the education she was dreaming of if her situation didn’t change.
Ironically, Facundo was far from the girl she was more than a decade ago. As a kid, she was shy, and afraid to speak her mind. Most of all, she didn’t even consider any chance of getting her ultimate dream – to get a college diploma.
UNEXPECTED SCHOLARSHIP One day, Facundo was surprised when her grandmother arrived with school supplies. Her grandmother enrolled her under Philam Foundation’s Aid for Basilan Children scholarship through Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
The eldest of five siblings, Facundo saw how her parents struggled to support their studies since grade school. At that time, she only had two sets of uniform for the entire school year.
“Sabi niya, ‘O scholar ka na!’ Nagulat ako bakit ako naging scholar. ‘Yun pala nilista niya ang pangalan ko.” (She said, ‘You’re a scholar now!’ I was surprised. Later, I found out she applied for me),” she recalled.
“Dahil lima kami, panay utang dito, utang doon kasi nga short sa budget. During that time, saktongsakto lang din ‘yung mga supplies namin, minsan nakukulangan pa nga (Because we’re five, we usually take a loan because our budget is short. During that time, our supplies were barely enough, if not scarce),” she said.
Hope sprung in her heart upon learning of the scholarship. School supplies and financial needs were provided from Grade 2 to Grade 6. When she reached high school, uniforms were also provided yearly. There was no need to wash and wear anymore, just like what she was doing in elementary school.
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
‘The youth should have education, because only through education can we produce professionals and good citizens in the Philippines.’ “Mas naging determined ako na makapagtapos dahil sa reality na may scholarship pala na todo suporta sa mga estudyante na tulad namin, sa mga nangangailangan (I became more determined that I will finish my studies because I realized that there’s a scholarship that gives full support to us students who are in need),” shared Facundo. THE TRANSFORMATION From a timid girl, Facundo turned into an eager beaver student who is excelling in both curricular and extra-curricular activities. She is the school’s representative in Math, Science and even in Journalism competitions. On top of that, she’s also joining dance and singing contests within the school. “From being an introvert, naging extrovert na talaga ako kasi lahat ng bagay na nakikita kong puwedeng maka-contribute sa personal growth ko sinalihan ko (From being an introvert, I’ve transformed into an extrovert because I wanted to explore things that I believed could help in my personal growth),” she said. Facundo also made sure that she was always at the top of her class. She graduated valedictorian in high school. For her, this was the best way she could express how grateful she was for getting a scholarship. She also dedicated all her efforts to her father who said that he will only go up on stage if she tops her class. “Simula Grade 1 to Grade 6, lagi akong may medal, may ribbon pero never siyang nagsabit sa akin kasi ayaw niya. Gusto niya no. 1 ako so ‘yun ang nag-challenge sa akin (Since Grade 1 to Grade 6, I always got a medal, a ribbon, but he never went up the stage to put it on me. He only wanted to go up
if I become No. 1 so that challenged me),” revealed Facundo. PAYING IT FORWARD On her free time, Facundo volunteers for the church as part of the choir, as a lector or commentator. She said this is also her way of giving back all the blessings she received. “PBSP is one of the instruments na na-tap ni God para tulungan ang mga nangangailangan, kaya in return halos lahat ng service na puwede kong i-render sinusubukan ko talaga (PBSP is one of the instruments of God to help people in need, so in return, I’m rendering services in every way that I can),” she said. Facundo is now taking up Accounting in Ateneo de Zamboanga through an academic scholarship. She believed that she wouldn’t be where she is now, if she didn’t receive a scholarship from Philam in elementary and high school. “Thankful talaga ako na may Philam para magsupport sa amin” (I’m very thankful because there’s Philam to support us),” she added. Five years from now, Facundo sees herself as a teacher. But to be successful in life and in any profession, she believes that education is the key. “Dapat merong edukasyon ang bawat kabataan kasi through education lang makakaproduce tayo ng mga professionals, ng mga good citizens ng Philippines (The youth should have education, because only through education can we produce professionals and good citizens in the Philippines),” said Facundo.
Four municipalities in Basilan received educational assistance that included scholarship, teachers’ trainings, Parent-Teacher Association trainings, feeding programs, and remedial reading classes. A total of 535 scholars in Lamitan Central Elementary School were given scholarship assistance throughout their elementary education while 200 continued to receive assistance until they finished high school.
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
35
Ma. Flordeliza Bataoil, Teacher 1 of Concepcion Central Elementary School in Lantawan, Basilan
36
PBSP: MINDANAO ON THE MOVE
Teaching interventions boost schools in Basilan In
About 80 schools assisted by Philippine Business for Social Progress in (PBSP) in 11 districts in the province are now drastically changing the way students learn.
talk and chalk strategy was lessened.) Before watching the content, we already give them instructions on what to look for in the story, and questions or activity that they will do after the program. Kaya hindi na kami napapagod mag-explain (That’s why we don’t get tired explaining anymore),” Bataoil said.
From being low performers, Concepcion Central Elementary School is among those competing and winning in district academic contests.
In the past, she shared that she and her colleagues would spend their own money or improvise to be able to provide some visual materials for their students.
Its teachers who received training from PBSP, on the other hand, have found a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to their profession. They’re now more eager to teach their students. They’re also considered leaders in their respective districts now, as they pass on the learning they received to other schools not reached by the Mindanao Peace and Development Program.
“Kung ano lang ‘yung makikita namin dyan sa community, kung ano lang ang kaya, ‘yun lang ang magagawa namin. At pag hindi namin kaya, hanggang picture nalang ng microscope, cylinder, at ibang pang science apparatus ang pinapakita namin sa mga bata (We just use whatever we have or see in our community. If there’s nothing or we cannot improvise, we just show pictures of microscope, cylinder, and other science apparatus to the kids),” she revealed.
Basilan, revolution going on.
there
is
an
education
NO MORE TALK AND CHALK “There are many reasons why the children were always absent and would drop out of school. But when PBSP gave us the E-TV we had perfect attendance. Everyone wanted to be in class, they were looking forward to the time we would use the E-TV and watch educational content. The retention level of the kids increased significantly since we had this intervention. And the response of the parents were also very positive,” related Teacher Ma. Flordeliza B. Bataoil of Concepcion Central Elementary School in Lantawan. All levels from Grades 1 to 6 take turns using the audiovisual room of the school every week. She said they encouraged the teachers to use the E-TV in their lessons so the students will be motivated to learn. “Dahil doon bumili kami ng mga co-teachers ko ng sari-sarili naming TV at DVD kasi nakita namin na maganda ang impact ng audio-visual lessons sa mga bata (Because of that, my co-teachers and I bought our own TV, DVDs as we saw the good impact that the audio-visual lessons had on the kids),” she said. “’Yung abseentism na-reduce natin. Second, ‘yung boses ng teacher hindi na masyadong nase-strain, may reserve na kami. Na-lessen ‘yung talk and chalk. (The absenteeism was reduced. Second, the voice of the teacher is no longer strained, we can reserve it now. The
LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH The impact of the teacher training is multiplied many times over as the teachers re-echo or roll-out the knowledge they received to other schools not reached by PBSP. For Bataoil, this opportunity did not only improve the performance of other schools’ students’ but had also developed her leadership skills and contributed to her personal growth. It likewise fueled her passion for teaching even more. “Dati passive akong teacher. Limited lang ang alam kong strategies, ‘yun lang naituro sa akin nung college ako. Pero nung binigay yung mga trainings na yun, nadiscover namin na ang dami-daming palang strategies at methods na puwedeng i-tackle sa bata. Higit dun, mas malaki ang professional growth na nakuha ko. Lahat ito ay dahil busog na busog kami sa suporta ng PBSP (I was a passive teacher before with only limited strategies, only those that were taught to me in college. But when we received the trainings, we discovered that there are many strategies and methods that can be tackled when teaching the kids. More than that, I’ve developed professional growth. All these is because we were given enough support by PBSP),” she concluded.
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A shared mission “T
he government cannot do it alone,” says Arsenio T. Cornites, Jr., Schools Division Superintendent of Agusan del Norte. This statement holds true for many sectors, especially in education where the lack of budget and many other resources hamper the government’s goal to provide access and quality education to all. “That’s why news about projects for children has always been received with much enthusiasm and eagerness by the community, particularly the kids and teachers,” said Mr. Cornites. He adds, “Whether it is about school supplies, classroom improvement, feeding or water for the school, it is always a welcome development for the community.” Hence, every arrival of people from Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) in their area is a cause for celebration. Working in close coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) through the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent, PBSP has implemented various projects on education and health in the province. A total of 88 classrooms had been constructed in Agusan del Norte with 5,920 chairs given away. Science laboratories were established in 11 schools while audio-visual equipment were provided to 29 schools. Meanwhile, 16 schools also received Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) equipment. Poor children numbering 3,792 were also provided with school supplies. To enhance the content and delivery, at least 594 teachers with subject areas in English, Science and Math were trained. There are also 67 officers and members of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) that have undergone capability building training. Seven local school boards (LSBs) also participated in seminar/workshops that 38
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taught them how to come up with the Municipal Education Agenda (MEA) with its corresponding support to the school children. Maintenance of sanitation and the need for potable water in school and communities were also addressed. At least 11 water systems were constructed in Agusan del Norte. Because of this strong support from the local government units and stakeholders, the successful implementation of the projects inevitably followed. “Our favorable performance in the National Achievement Test (NAT) is proof that our collective investment in education is reaping a nice harvest,” Cornites said. From 84.68 percent in school year 2010-2011, total test results for elementary reached 87.46 percent in 2013-2014. On the other hand, NAT results for the secondary level jumped 68.59 percent from 66.35 percent in 2010. Rising from the ranks of ordinary teachers in 1976 to becoming the present School’s Division Superintendent, Cornites himself has proven that strong partnership among stakeholders – in this case, PBSP, Agencia Espanola de Cooperacion Internacional para el Desarollo (AECID), Fundacion Humanismo Y Democracia (H+D) and the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Agusan del Norte – is the key to achieving the common goal and shared mission of education for all.
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THE INSPIRATION OF A FATHER IN NASIPIT S leepless and restless during the past few nights, Charlito Salazar now happily watches his newborn baby girl at the former Nasipit Rural Health Unit in Agusan del Norte. He was supposed to go back to work that day but he chose to stay with his child and wife who are still recuperating at the birthing clinic. The 40-year-old laborer of Sitio Ata-Atahon, Nasipit, Agusan del Norte could not hide his elation that at last, his wife Linda had finally given birth. “Nagpasalamat ko tungod ning birthing clinic nakatabang jud ug dako kanamo (I am thankful because this birthing clinic really helped us)!”, Salazar said. He was planning to bring her to the emergency hospital which is about eight kilometers away from their house or to the provincial hospital in Butuan City which is about 30 kilometers away,. But the expenses of hiring a passenger jeep to bring his wife to the hospital would reduce his meager budget intended for the delivery and food for the family.
‘Nagpasalamat ko tungod ning birthing clinic nakatabang jud ug dako kanamo’ With the birthing clinic equipped to handle deliveries in the barangay, their expenses and efforts had been lessened. Personnel manning the birthing clinic had been trained by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to provide health-related services. Salazar is naming his daughter Cherrylyn, a combination of his name and his wife’s. Cherrylyn is the 761st baby that was born at the birthing clinic since the facility was constructed by PBSP in 2010.
Bringing farmers’ children to school Poverty
might have prevented others from pursuing education but not for a farmer’s daughter in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato. The rice paddies along the way served as 15-yearold Arlyn Cantong’s trail in going to school every day. Apart from excelling in school, she is also a responsible daughter, knowing fully well her role as the eldest among her four siblings. Her daily routine includes helping her mother in the household chores like cooking and cleaning before going to school. The challenges brought by poverty were never easy, given the meager income that her parents earn as farmers. But a big relief was given to the household when she was chosen to be scholar of Pioneer HiBred Philippines, Inc. “I am so glad that I was included among those who were assisted [with a scholarship],” Cantong said. She disclosed that the earnings of her parents are not enough to provide for the family’s basic necessities, especially food. “Where can we get extra money to buy school supplies, uniforms, money for school projects? That was why I was very happy to be chosen as one of the scholars. I remember my mother hugged me upon learning the good news,” she recalled. Cantong is among the 12 children of farmers in Sto. Niño, South Cotabato who are now able to
Arlyn Cantong, (above, 1st from right and left photo, standing 2nd from the right with other scholars)
pursue their high school education at the Sto. Niño National School of Arts and Trades. This educational assistance by Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines, has kept them in school since 2010. Indeed, perseverance has brought positive impact to her studies. Cantong is always included in the Top 10 of her class, and even landed First Honor in third year. Now in her senior year, she is confident that she will achieve the same academic performance with the help of her family and others who continue to support her. Implemented by Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the assistance package for the farmers’ children includes school supplies, uniforms and school fees. Bringing children to school in poverty-stricken areas like Sto. Niño in South Cotabato is a big challenge to families like Arlyn’s. However, the difficulty is bearable with the help of kind-hearted organizations like PBSP and Pioneer Hi-Bred Philippines., Inc. who continue to invest in our youth.
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A mission from above Philanthropist Bienvenido Tan, Jr. sees his work as a form of servant leadership
For Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) Board of Trustee and philanthropist Amb. Bienvenido A. Tan, Jr., his advocacy on education began during his visit in a PBSP project site in Cotabato. “Marylin Muncada (then PBSP Mindanao Regional Office manager) brought me to Cotabato and I saw children crossing the Rio Grande river to go to school. So the first thing we did was to give them a boat which also gave the father of one of the children a job,” recalled Tan, a former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Germany. But what struck Tan the most was the condition of the children who were clad not with uniforms but torn shirts in going to school. They also didn’t have any shoes or slippers on their feet. Since that first batch of donation consisting of a boat, shoes, slippers, and shirts to the community, Tan never stopped giving. In fact, he is among the biggest donors and supporters of various projects under the Mindanao Peace and Development Program and in other areas. For PBSP’s education projects in Mindanao, his foundations donated 16 Science laboratories, 5,740 chairs, 10,041 textbooks and other reference materials, 1,313 educational assistance, 213 bicycles, and 60 boats for transportation support to the students. 42
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For our health projects, he provided seven hospital equipment, 42 cold-chain facilities, 1,168 medical kits, and two (2) water systems. The beneficiaries are the schools, children, and communities in Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Sarangani, Zamboanga City, North and South Cotabato, and Agusan. He also funded seven livelihood projects to help residents recover from the effects of the armed conflict in Central Mindanao. Farmers in Camp Abubakar, Maguindanao were provided with farm inputs such as corn seeds and fertilizers to rehabilitate their farms. Residents in Pikit, North Cotabato raised livestock such as goats and chicken to supplement their income. In Tugaya, Lanao del Sur, working capital was given to beneficiaries who were trained through the GTZ funding in trade and vocational skills. GRATEFUL BENEFICIARIES All of Tan’s assistance helped improve the lives of the communities who received them. In Balindong National High School in Lanao del Sur, the students won in the Regional Science Fair two years after they received the science laboratory equipment. Don Pablo Lorenzo Memorial High School in Zamboanga City named a skeletal model in honor of their donor, Mr. Tan.
‘The idea is we are here to serve the people, not to be served.’ Tawi-Tawi High School and Talayan National High School in Maguindanao opened their doors to students from other schools who would also like to use the science equipment given by Tan. The students and teachers who used to cross the dangerous Rio Grande river all have perfect attendance in school now, after receiving a boat and bikes that make it easier for them to travel to school. In health, the immunization rate in far-flung barangays in Mindanao significantly increased in the health centers which were equipped with refrigerators and coolers to store their medicines. THE PURPOSE OF GIVING “I feel that our Lord gives me this opportunity and everything I own— my talents, money and connections – belong to him. I’m just his manager. But the foundations I run do not accept money from other people. The donations come from our family. So I think that our Lord intends me to take care of what I can handle and beyond that, no more. I don’t ask money from other people,” explained Tan.
The foundations he co-founded (or helped start) and manages are the Elena Tan Foundation, Salom Tan Foundation, O. T. Kang Foundation, Lakan Bakor Foundation, Bahay ni Angelo King Foundation, Children’s Hour, Lorenzo Foundation, and Republic Glass, Inc. With this mindset, the 90-year-old philanthropist does not expect to be appreciated for the work he has done. “I don’t expect that people would thank me. Because as I’ve said, the money is His. Therefore, I tell them to just thank our Lord. I don’t even accept testimonials or tributes, except when I go to Mindanao, they put a hat on me,” said Tan. The philosophy of servant leadership had been crystallized in Tan’s high school years and he continues to espouse it to this day in his business and philanthropic endeavors. “The idea is we are here to serve the people, not to be served. [When helping people], the easiest thing to do is to say you will pray for him. The second easiest thing to do is write a check. But the hardest thing to do is to give yourself,” he said.
Ambasador Tan’s donations to the Mindanao Peace & Development Program
REPORT SPONSORS
MINDANAO CONTAINER CORPORATION
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The Corporate Affairs Unit of Philippine Business for Social Progress would like to thank everyone who helped in the production of this report, especially to Education Program Head Marilyn Muncada and the Mindanao Regional Center
The Corporate Affairs Unit of PBSP namely: Jay Michael O. Jaboneta, Rachel C. Barawid, Maureen Maquiddang, Ivy M. Candelaria, Marilyn SP Mirando, and Juvy V. Domingo produced this report, in collaboration with the Mindanao Regional Center’s Rommel Gonzales, Danilo Escabarte, Danilo Bentoy, and graphic artist, Kerwin Wepee.
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PBSP is a member of United Way Worldwide
and an affiliate of Give2Asia
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
PSDC Building, Magallanes corner Real Streets 1002 Intramuros, Manila, Philippines www.pbsp.org.ph