By Alithea De Jesus
Since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, the most vulnerable affected by it is the education sector given the fact that various challenges such as distance learning and teaching not to mention the issue of connectivity remain a problem till now.
Apart from that, the series of typhoons that hit different parts of the country caused immense destruction to school infrastructure and learning materials across Luzon areas that led to the damage of many school buildings and furniture, technology equipment and supplies, learning materials, and printed modules for remote distance learning were ruined and washed away due to massive flooding.
Cognizant of the support needed by the schools and children, the City Savings Bank, Inc. (CitySavings) mobilized calamity related assistance through various relief distributions and education recovery support initiatives to the typhoon-affected areas in Regions 2, 3, NCR, 4A, 4B and 5 as a response to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) call for help,
Over 1,800 relief goods (rice, canned goods, water, vitamins, coffee) and hygiene kits (bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush) were distributed as immediate aid.
“Maraming-maraming salamat po sa CitySavings para sa grocery na relief goods na ibinigay sa aming pamilya. Napakalaking tulong po nito lalo na ngayon na nasalanta po kami, binaha gawa ng mga nagdaang bagyo. Sa pamunuan ng Calamba Bayside Integrated School at mga guro, isang taos-pusong pasasalamat at naging daan kayo para mabigyan kaming mga evacuees ng relief assistance mula sa CitySavings,” said Clemente Atesora, an evacuee from the said school.
The Bank also donated printers, inks, and bond papers to assist in the replacement and reproduction of self-learning modules (SLMs) to 75 schools and divisions in Luzon.
“The corporate social responsibility projects of City Savings Bank have always been felt by the SDO of Camarines Sur, from the printing of SLMs to the relief operations due to typhoons Rolly and Ulysses. Thank you very much for being our active partner,” said Loida N. Nidea CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent – Division of Camarines Sur.
CitySavings Reputation and Brand Management Head Paula Ruelan emphasized “As we usher in the new year, we are committed to supporting our education sector by providing resources the best way we can. We advocate equal access to quality education despite the adversities brought by these natural calamities during this time of global health crisis.
Guided by the Aboitiz Group’s purpose to drive change for a better world, CitySavings has pledged its support to DepEd under the government’s Basic Education – Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for the school year 2020 – 2021.