Story By Georgene Quilaton-Tambiga
Photos By Ma. Nita Bolo
The three adopted schools of Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos, Inc. under its G.U.G.M.A. Program received complete STARBOOKS Kiosks from the BPI Foundation, Inc. last May 14, 2024 during the Turnover Ceremony at the SDS Hall, Department of Education Division of San Carlos.
Ansulag, Katiclan and Nabataan Elementary Schools became beneficiaries of the grant from BPI Foundation, Inc. through the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII). The three schools are among the 30 school-beneficiaries who are included in the STARBOOKS Deployment Program funded by BPI Foundation, Inc.’s Php 2.1 M cash grant.
Dr. Dennis Develos, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent – OIC of the Division of San Carlos, personally welcomed the guests during the ceremony showing his gratitude for how BPI Foundation, Inc., CST-R and DOST-STII adhered to the “mandate of sharing resources in helping our learners in moving forward…to become responsible citizens.”
Mr. Noel Tiu, BPI Foundation, Inc. Program Manager, gave the audience a brief overview of what the foundation is doing to advance its Three Pillars: Financial Education, Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion. BPI Foundation is in support of education, especially the promotion of science and technology.
DOST-STII Director Richard Burgos narrated the story of how CST-R became instrumental in bringing STARBOOKS for a Mass Installation and Deployment to beneficiaries in San Carlos City. Director Burgos encouraged the teachers to maximize the use of DOST’s e-Library as it even contains reviewers for the famed Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
Responding to the inspiring words of his fellow stakeholders, Rev. Fr. Cristopher Maspara, OAR, CST-R President, expressed both the joy and humility of being instrumental in uplifting marginalized school-communities such as the three G.U.G.M.A. adopted schools.
“Today I am humbled to witness government and private sectors converge together in assisting Ansulag, Nabataan, and Katiclan Elementary Schools,” Fr. Maspara said.
Ms. Rose Almaras, principal of Katiclan ES, Mr. Hernan Balansag, head teacher of Ansulag ES, and Mr. Jovito Limot, head teacher of Nabataan ES, accepted the STARBOOKS Kiosks in behalf of their respective schools.
“I, as principal, accept the responsibility that comes with this generous donation,” Ms. Almaras said thanking the sponsors and stakeholders as well.
Also in attendance during the turnover were DOST Negros Occidental Provincial Director Engr. Allan Francis Dara-ug, Heidelyn P. Geromiano (OIC, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent), Hon. Victoriana Cabili (San Carlos City Councilor), and Mr. Herlanie Hisman of Barangay Rizal, where the three beneficiary-schools are located.
CST-R led by Fr. Maspara delivered the kiosks to Katiclan ES with DOST-STII and BPI Foundation and to Nabataan ES. The kiosk will be delivered to Ansulag ES next week.
