A week after the launch of World Vision’s Abutin Na10 (to be read as ‘na-ten’)
campaign, DepEd Las Piñas initiated a city-wide advocacy drive among its stakeholders
to support the country’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan.
“We are a family under one country so we ought to
be compassionate for others who are in need, especially the most vulnerable
children,” said Dr. Joel Torrecampo, Superintendent of the Department of
Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Las Piñas City.
Dr. Torrecampo, known by his colleagues to be hands-on
and tech-savvy, immediately posted an appeal to his social media groups
followed mostly by his fellow DepEd officials and school heads. He led a simple
voluntary ‘pass the hat’ initiative to help last-mile learners cope with the
impact of COVID-19.
In less than two weeks, they were able to raise Php
70,000, which they turned over to World Vision Education Manager Geomel P.
Jetonzo and DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External
Partnerships Service and Project Management Service, Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali,
Esq.
In a recent return of blessing to the school
division’s initiative, the local government of Las Piñas recently confirmed the
provision of educational equipment, gadgets and hygiene kits to be used by its teachers
and students while in the new normal.
“I believe it is our collective resolve here in Las
Piñas City, our students and their parents, teachers and principals, together
with our local government, to be of humble service to those in dire need, so
our children will be able to reach their dreams, and not stop schooling because
of this pandemic,” shared Dr. Torrecampo, who in his younger years endured
walking several kilometres just to attend and eventually finish school.
Believing that this pandemic has opened a horizon of generosity, he decided to
support schools of other provinces through the Abutin Na10 fund drive.
World Vision Philippines National Director Rommel
V. Fuerte shared that “our rapid impact assessment reveals that one of the top
most critical problems faced by children and their parents during the COVID-19
pandemic is education opportunities, aside from food security and access to
health care.”
Of the children respondents, 21% said they are
either unwilling or unsure to attend school (face-to-face or blended learning)
when classes start this August. The other 89% of those surveyed anticipate
challenges on the use of online learning platforms while 38% do not have access
to internet. Their parents share the same sentiments including the absence of
gadgets.
It is because of these challenges and many others
that World Vision Philippines and the Department of Education partnered for Abutin Na10: Para sa Sampung Milyong
Mag-aaral, Sampung Piso, Sampung Araw, Sampung Milyong Pilipino.
““With
millions of Filipinos taking part in this endeavor, last-mile learners can
continue their education while ensuring that their lives are not at risk due to
COVID-19,” Fuerte shared. He explained that the funds will be used by DepEd for
the printing of self-learning materials
and/or procurement of gadgets to support the children’s blended or
distance learning from home.
During the campaign launch Abutin Na10, no less than the DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis
Briones commended this worthy effort and asserted that “education must continue
with or without the threat of the COVID-19 because it is perhaps the greatest
legacy we can leave our learners and our children.” The education chief also
said that we should ensure that "the health, safety and well-being of
learners, teachers and personnel are protected.”
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