Scholars, youth entrepreneurs honored

MANILA, Philippines - Celebrating its seven-year program of giving underprivileged children the gift of education, Petron recently paid tribute to its outstanding Tulong Aral scholars, graduates of its youth entrepreneurship program, and its partners in Fueling H.O.P.E. or Helping Filipino Youth Overcome Poverty through Education.

In a ceremony at the Petron office, 140 Tulong Aral scholars and 100 trainees of the 4th batch of the Youth In Entrepreneurship and Leadership Development (YIELD) program were recognized. The Tulong Aral scholars present were honor students from both elementary (grades 1 to 5) and high school (first year). Among the more than 6,000 Tulong Aral scholars, there were 412 outstanding students in elementary and 66 in high school as of the end of school year 2008-2009. Of this number, 29 received first and second honors in elementary and six in high school.

Likewise, the event served as the graduation ceremony for third-year students of Muntinlupa Business High School (MBHS) who took part in the YIELD program. As part of the company’s youth entrepreneurship initiatives, Petron invites junior students of MBHS to undergo a month-long training on forecourt operations, food service and back office management in several company-owned and company-operated stations and their locators.

“This activity serves as a testament to what our children and youth can achieve, given the right support and the motivation to succeed,” said Petron Foundation executive director Marilou Erni. “We are convinced that education remains the best way to fight poverty. We are here to help nurture their dreams and fuel their hopes.”

Petron also took the opportunity to thank its partners who have been consistently supporting these educational initiatives. Petron president Eric Recto handed out plaques of appreciation to representatives from the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, World Vision Development Foundation, Land Bank of the Philippines, Philippine Psychology Research and Training House, Philippine Business for Social Progress, SM Retail, MBHS, San Beda College-Manila and the Petron Dealers Associaton (PETDA).

A highlight of the program was the turnover of a check by members of PETDA in Metro Manila to help sustain the Tulong Aral program.