DepEd gets P10 M for Adopt-a-School program

MANILA, Philippines — To help uplift the conditions of public schools in the country, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics Inc. is once again extending assistance to the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Adopt-a-School Program for the next three years.

The agreement was signed by Mariwasa and DepEd in a ceremony at the LB Soriano Hall, Seameo Innotech on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City late last year.

Mariwasa president and SCG country director Phaskorn Buranawit and Education Secretary Leonor Briones signed the agreement, which was witnessed by Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali and DepEd director of external partnership Margarita Ballesteros.

Under the program, select schools around the country will be renovated as part of Mariwasa’s corporate social responsibility thrust.

“We wanted to give back to the community and the best way we can do this is through the public schools, because we know that uplifting the conditions of the schools can lead to better learning. This is in line with the business philosophy of our mother company SCG, which puts an emphasis on social responsibility, caring for the environment and uplifting peoples’ lives,” Buranawit said.

 Last year, the leading ceramic tile brand adopted more than 100 public schools nationwide under the same DepEd program with a P4-million toilet sanitation renovation project. With the success of the project, the company decided to embark on a much bigger project valued at P10 million to improve the quality of educational facilities for the benefit of public school students.

 Mariwasa, in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), will also conduct tile-setting training in areas where DepEd-identified schools are located.

Through this tile-setting training, Mariwasa and TESDA will teach local communities how to properly install tiles, a skill which local folkmight consider as a livelihood and a way to also help their communities.