Turnover ceremony held at Batasan Elementary School, Makilala, North Cotabato, last November 23, 2020, for the donations of tablets, pocket WiFi, and sim cards from PetroEnergy Resources Corporation through Malayan Colleges Mindanao.

PetroEnergy Resources Corporation, through Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao donated mobile devices (tablets) as educational assistance to Batasan Elementary School at Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato, in a turnover ceremony held last November 23, 2020.

The tablets will be lent to one hundred twenty-seven pupils from Grades 4 to 6 from Batasan Elementary School to aid them in their academic journey in the new normal. In addition to the tablets, pocket WiFis and sim cards courtesy of Smart Communications were also distributed to the school for the benefit of not only the students but the teachers as well. The sim cards will be used in the tablets given, while the pocket WiFis are intended to assist the teachers and the learners.

The turnover ceremony was attended by representatives from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao — Engr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, EVP/COO; Engr. Danilo R. Tiongo, IT Director; and Ms. Marycon Delos Reyes, Head of the Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE). In addition, representatives from Brgy. Batasan, Batasan Elementary School, and DepEd SDO Cotabato were also present, namely Hon. Rogelio T. Virador, Barangay Chairperson; Dionisio Toribio G. Costes, Ed.D., SGOD Chief; Isagani S. Dela Cruz, Schools Division Superintendent; Alejandro A. Corre, District Supervisor; and Eleanor G. Tariman, School Principal. 

“I think what is necessary is for us to continue the learning of our students. I think you will all agree with me that in the past year or so, it was very challenging for everyone. First, the one that happened in October, that disrupted our classes. Then we are already starting to recover, here comes COVID. I think the only way that we could move forward is that we help each other. PetroEnergy and Malayan Colleges Mindanao would like to offer its assistance so that learning would happen still continue despite the current situation.” Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo stated in his message during the program.

Representatives from Malayan Colleges Mindanao and Batasan Elementary School pose for a photo during the ceremonial turn-over of tablets as part of the program.

The donations were gratefully accepted and received by the school community, expressing their thanksgiving for the help extended by PetroEnergy Resources and Mapúa MCM, who took the time to reach out despite the circumstances we are currently facing—especially with the consecutive calamities from the earthquakes, the pandemic, and the floods. 

It was mentioned by the Brgy. Batasan officials and DepEd SDO Cotabato representatives that investing in the children’s education would make for a better future. DepEd SDO Cotabato representatives present at the turnover ceremony also mentioned that they are currently transitioning from Printed Modular Distance Learning modality to Digitized MDL Modality. Parents of the pupils from Batasan Elementary School were also elated that their children will benefit greatly, especially since they have been having trouble with the modular approach.

“Sana dito sa aming idodonate na gadgets at devices ay mapabilis ang kanila pong pag-aaral at sana matuto po sila lalo, dahil marami na po silang paraan para matuto. (We hope that through these donations of gadgets and devices, learning is faster and easier for the students because they now have more means of studying.) We are hoping that these devices will give our teachers and students more flexibility as far as learning modalities are concerned. That is our hope.” Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo added.

Earlier this year, the original plan was to donate a mobile library for Batasan Elementary School. However, a change of plans made the administration decide to give mobile devices that would be more beneficial to the students’ learning in the new normal. Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo also assured that the partnership will continue, and that should the mobile library be needed, Mapúa MCM will provide right away. 

Related article: https://www.facebook.com/DepEdTayoCotabato/posts/373685950721565