FPRDI helps Bagong Silang Elementary School
July 8, 2013
Rainy days are here and the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) has extended help to a remote village school that is constantly at the mercy of heavy rains.
Thru its Adopt-a-School Project, colorful raincoats, rubber slippers and some school supplies were distributed last 27 June 2013 to 112 students of the Bagong Silang Elementary School at Brgy. Bagong Silang in Mt. Makiling, Los Banos, Laguna. The project was led by the Technical Services Division (TSD) and was part of FPRDI’s activities for its anniversary celebration last year.
“Thru the years, we have assisted many local communities around the country, hence, it is just proper that we help those areas nearest to us,” said FPRDI Deputy Director Felix B. Tamolang.
Situated halfway up Mt. Makiling, the Bagong Silang Elementary School was chosen out of three schools surveyed in Los Banos. “Though the school has been receiving help from a number of donors, its resources are still insufficient compared to the students’ needs,” related Ms. Grecelda A. Eusebio, main organizer and Chief of TSD’s Business Development and Intellectual Property Section.
“The raincoats and slippers will be very useful to the students since most of them have to travel long distances, rain or shine, on rough terrains to get to the school,” noted Kendrick Maristella, Grades 5 and 6 Adviser. Last June 21, a man-made bridge en route to the school was destroyed by heavy rains, making the 35-minute trek more difficult for students and teachers.
“We plan to do the Adopt-a-School Project every year, as well as conduct training courses to help improve the livelihood of the people at Bagong Silang and advocate for the sustainable use of forest resources in Mt. Makiling,” ended Tamolang. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin, 28 June 2013)
