MANILA, Philippines - Over 500 public school pupils across the country were given new trolley bags and school supplies while 192 Negrense mothers received life-saving information about safe motherhood practices as the Philippines, through the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), participated in the United Way Day of Action 2017.
Joining other countries such as Japan, Peru, the United States, South Africa, India, and Hungary, PBSP celebrated the Day of Action through simultaneous activities last June 21. The sites include Bayanan Elementary School in Muntinlupa City, Simlong Elementary School in Batangas City, Sapangdaku Elementary School and Toong Elementary School in Cebu and Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental.
Funding the activities were PBSP member-companies Fluor Daniel and Intellicare (Asalus Corporation).
The activities also gathered 56 volunteers from participating companies and partner local government units.
At Simlong Elementary School, pupils whose families rely mostly on fishing welcomed the donation. With their new bags and school supplies, their parents no longer have to spend to replace their children’s worn-out bags and school supplies.
“The donation inspires kids to do better with school activities. Compared to backpacks, these trolley bags reduce the burden of having to carry a heavy load of books and notebooks every day. Plus, they are more convenient to carry even on rainy days,” said Beth Arellano, Simlong Elementary School head.
In 2015, the country bagged the grand prize in the contest – “Day of Action with the Greatest Scale” and one of the Best Photo awards when PBSP donated 550 storybooks to Maliksi Elementary School in Bacoor, Cavite, besting other countries such as South Korea, Australia, and Thailand.
PBSP is an affiliate of United Way.