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THE 1,137 scholars of Petron Corp. lived their dreams
of having quality education after graduating from elementary and
high school through the Adopt a School Program of the oil giant and
the Department of Education.
The Petron Tulong Aral Program is
an initiative under the department’s Adopt-A-School Program, which
facilitates private-public partnerships for education. It was
re-launched in September 2006 by Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to
help generate more resources and interventions from the private
sector. It has 6,000 scholars in 81 public elementary schools in
Metro Manila and Mindanao.
Of that number, 1,520 were
recognized as outstanding scholars, with 198 of them receiving first
honor recognition since Grade 1.
The six-year-old program ensures
that these children learn and acquire the necessary competencies
from school. It sends an additional 1,000 children to school every
year and provides the children’s uniforms, books, school supplies
and daily meal allowance. Remedial classes, teacher training
programs, and capability-building and livelihood programs for
parents are also available.
“We want to give the
economically-challenged children the lasting gift of education that
will give them a strong chance at a better life,” Petron Chairman
and CEO Nicasio Alcantara said.
During the commencement
exercises, Petron donated an estimated P139 million for the
program’s next two years. The LandBank of the Philippines also
pledged P4 million to continue the scholarships for 100 selected
Tulong Aral elementary graduates.
“Through this effort, we see
how the coming together of stakeholders in education has fueled [a]
brighter future of these children. Petron’s support paves the way
in realizing our vision for quality education for all,” said Lapuz.
In 2007, the program generated
about P4-billion worth of commitments, pledges and actual
contributions, surpassing the P2.1-billion generated by the program
from 2000 to 2006.
--James Konstantin Galvez
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