A TOTAL of 250 elementary scholars of Tulong Aral ng Petron (TAP) coming from the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu received school supplies from Petron Foundation during a ceremony held in SM City Cebu last Aug. 2.
“Through Tulong Aral ng Petron, we are planting the seeds of Hope in these children by giving them a chance to be productive citizens through education,” said Ramon S. Ang, Petron chairperson and chief executive officer. “More than just a CSR (corporate social responsibility program), TAP is our strategic contribution to nation-building. By continuing to invest in our youth, we are developing future generations of professionals who will not only help sustain our economic growth but also become passionate advocates for doing good and doing well for our company, our communities, and our country.”
Engr. Eliezer Suanico, Mactan terminal manager of Petron, said a daily feeding program is also being given to elementary TAP scholars.
Each scholar received a full set of school supplies, including a pair of shoes and a backpack.
High school scholars have been undergoing leadership and life skills seminars, while their parents received skills training and other support services.
Marli Navarra, a parent of one of the TAP scholars, hopes that Petron Foundation will continue helping the underprivileged children who are not part of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
“Sa tulo katuig nga nahimong scholar ang akong anak sa Tulong Aral ng Petron, dako na kaayo ang tabang sa akong pamilya ilabi na sa mga school supplies, school uniforms, ug feeding program matag udto (For the past three years that my child has been a Tulong Aral ng Petron scholar, it has been a great help to our family especially when it comes to getting school supplies, school uniforms, and the daily feeding program as well),” said Navarra.
Dr. Juliet Jeruta, Department of Education Central Visayas director, attended the distribution of school supplies.
The series of distribution of school supplies kicked off last July 13 at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, followed by events in Bacolod, Batangas, Cavite and Pampanga.
The foundation will also be distributing school supplies in SM malls in Iloilo, Palawan, as well as in Petron facilities in Agusan del Norte, La Union, and Tacloban, which is expected to benefit at least 3,000 TAP scholars.
Centered on the importance of education to alleviate proverty, the program has sent over 12,000 children to school and graduated nearly 8,000 scholars from elementary to college since 2002.
Petron has also expanded the program’s coverage to include children from its fenceline communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. (CLARENZ JAY MENDOZA, USJ-R INTERN / PR)