Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS last Tuesday, October 25 at the Austrian Embassy National Day reception, Ambassador Fluss said that it would be a lot easier for the Israel Embassy and MASHAV to just donate the study tables for the children, but they all opted to take the laborious assembling and painting to show unity and spur inspiration to the children and teachers.

“My wife, Gila, is a teacher. We are happy to participate physically in the Brigada Eskwela and to work side by side with the community, especially with the teachers and students. This is a fulfilling initiative, and we hope that our little assistance will inspire the students to study well. Education is very important in Jewish tradition,” Ambassador Fluss said.

The Israeli Ambassador emphasized in his opening remarks the friendly relations between Israel and the Philippines. He said that the Embassy is eager to collaborate with various fields to strengthen the relations.

The event was held to support the preparations for the full implementation of face-to-face classes in the Philippines. The school thanked the Embassy’s generosity for donating more tables to help practice social distancing among the kindergarten pupils. In addition, the Israeli Embassy donated a number of gadgets and health supplements. This project is in partnership with MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation.

Among the guests during the turnover ceremony were Taguig City Mayor Ma. Laarni Cayetano; Schools Division Asst. Supt. Quinn Norman Arreza; BTIS faculty members headed by Principal Dr. Erlinda Butcon; the local barangay officials; and the Parent-Teachers Association of the school. The event was held on October 24, 2022, at Bagong Tanyag Integrated School (BTIS) in Taguig City.

Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – MASHAV, through the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines, built a handwashing facility at Makati High School to support the Brigada Eskwela of the Department of Education.

“Access to sanitation facilities is essential for effective prevention and control of diseases, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ambassador Rafael Harpaz said. “We value health and education, that’s why we decided to build this handwashing facility. Students and faculty members can use this to wash their hands once the schools reopen,” Ambassador Harpaz added.

In attendance at the turn-over ceremony held on October 20, 2020, at Makati High School were Ambassador Rafael Harpaz; MASHAV Officer Ms. Gladys Baniqued; OIC, Schools Division Superintendent, SDO DepEd Makati Ms. Carleen Sedilla, CESE; Makati High School Principal Mr. Felix Bunagan, Principal III; Assistant Principal, SHS Ms. Gizelle Laud; Mr. Lilio Carreon Jr. English Faculty of MHS, Mr. Democrito Flores, OIC of TLE Department; Mrs. Bernardita Caduhada, OIC of English Department; Mr. Angelito Baloloy, Faculty Coordinator of Brigada Eskwela 2020; and Ms. Kaye Joy Fule, President of the Student Government of MHS.

Israel has recently donated printing equipment to the Department of Education of the Philippines to help its continuous efforts in coping up with the pandemic and to aid in providing distance learning to the Filipino students. Israel also donated personal protective equipment to the first responders of the Department of National Defense and the Philippine National Police.

By Alithea De Jesus
Photos from Israel Embassy in Manila

Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – MASHAV donated learning equipment to the Department of Education (DepEd) of the Philippines to help with its continuous efforts in coping up with the COVID-19 pandemic and in providing distance learning to Filipino students.

In a simple ceremony led by Chargé d’Affaires (CDA a.i.) Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov, the turnover ceremony of the learning equipment included heavy-duty copiers, laptops, and office printers. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones witnessed the ceremony virtually while Usec. Revsee Escobedo from DepEd and Dean Jason Arriola from the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Middle East and African Affairs (DFA-OMMEA) graced the event with their presence.

“COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to our regular way of transmitting education which is largely face-to-face. Since we are determined to continue the process of learning amidst the pandemic, we have turned to blended learning without the face-to-face component,” Sec. Briones said.

CDA a.i. Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov, Usec. Revsee Escobedo from DepEd, Dean Jason Arriola from DFA-OMMEA, and Mr. John Joshua Duldulao from DepEd.

“Thank you very much for this learning equipment that we could use for blended education. I have been thinking of how to select the lucky recipients of these gifts. We will prioritize those who need it the most,” she added.

Furthermore, DepEd Secretary Briones has expressed her appreciation towards Israeli achievements in Science and education and her willingness to develop the bilateral cooperation in these areas.

“We are very happy to give assistance to Filipino students. We are aware of the challenges that DepEd is facing in terms of the blended learning approach due to COVID-19. That’s why we decided to give support to the Filipino youth, teachers, and the DepEd,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov said. She added in Tagalog, “Sobrang masaya kaming tumulong sa mga mag-aaral sa Pilipinas. Sana magamit ito ng maayos at marami ang makinabang.”

During the event, CDA a.i. Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov, mentioned President Manuel Quezon who saved Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. “Israel will forever be grateful to the Philippines for that. This is one of our humble ways to pay back,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov concluded.

The turnover ceremony took place at the Embassy of Israel in Manila on August 13, 2020.

Read related story:

https://thephilbiznews.com/israel-donates-medical-equipment-to-ph-government-to-help-fight-covid-19/