Hedcor launches ‘balik-eskwela’ in MP

SABANGAN, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE-As the summer vacation comes to an end, Hedcor preps up the beginning of the school year as it collaborates with some schools in Sabangan, Mountain Province for the Brigada Eskwela 2014.

Brigada Eskwela also known as ‘School Maintenance Week’ is a community activity organized by the Department of Education to encourage parents, civil society and companies to prepare the schools two weeks before the opening of classes. Namatec Elementary School, Namatec National High School, Pingad National High School and Sabangan National High School teachers and parents were joined by Hedcor Sabangan Team leaders and members in the said annual community activity.

The simultaneous Brigada Eskwela commenced with a parade showcasing sociability among the school, community and employee volunteers. A short program succeeded for the presentation of the school’s work plan, organization and briefing of working teams, turn-over of the materials provided and supports and assistance needed to accomplish targets. This was immediately followed by the Brigada working proper.

Among the activities were repainting of classrooms, sprucing up gardens, landscaping, cleaning and weeding the schools’ surroundings. Hedcor with its subcontractors Santa Clara International Company and Drill Corporation also sponsored some construction materials such as cements, steel bars, tie wires, and loads of sand and rocks.

Hedcor Sabangan volunteers described the brigade as “a bonding work with love with the people of Sabangan.” The team members regarded that it pays reaching out to the community and dedicating a day for the Brigada Eskwela.

The school personnel and parents who were present in the activity were thankful of the company’s presence in this back-to-school brigade. “Hedcor’s participation and support to education inspires everyone present in the Brigada.

Our children will be more encouraged to learn in a maintained and tidy environment.”

Apart from BrigadaEskwela, Hedcor’s educational programs include donation of school supplies, computers and school buildings to the host communities.  The school building is called the SilidPangarap which is a single storey structure with two classrooms fully equipped with learning facilities and materials. It is built jointly by Hedcor, the Aboitiz Foundation and the AGAPP Foundation (Aklat, Gabay, Aruga, TungosaPag-angat at Pag-asa).Scholarship and financial grants are also given to deserving students and various educational trainings for teachers. Hedcor allotted funds primarily to education in the communities they are located.

The municipality of Sabangan hosts the ongoing 14MW hydro power plant project of Hedcor in Mountain Province. Hedcor has initiated social programs for its host communities for over 35 years now in line with its promise to provide better solutions to community and prepare them for a better future.