CATBALOGAN, Samar – The Asia Foundation’s Books for Asia program affirmed its commitment to the promotion of education and literacy through the formal turnover of over 15,000 books and other reading materials in this city last Wednesday.
The books and reading materials were released during a simple ceremony held at the Redaja Hall, DepEd Division Office here. School officials received the big number of volumes from the foundation.
The foundation works with local librarians and parent teachers associations (PTA) in delivering reading materials to schools and libraries.
Records from the foundation showed that about 21,324 books have already been distributed to various schools, libraries, and NGOs in this province and in Leyte through this program.
Aboitiz One, Inc. has facilitated the shipment of 11,655 children’s books to 242 elementary schools in various towns in this province and 41 boxes of books to 41 high schools in Catarman, Northern Samar.
Books for Asia Program Director Mr. Efren Balajadia explained: "Samar is among the country’s most underprivileged provinces.
"Through the Books for Remote Barangays in the country program, we were able to target schools from rural areas that needs books the most, since most schools do not have the needed financial resources to buy the needed books for their schools," Balajadia said.
The Asia Foundation Country Representative Dr. Steven Rood said, "The only way we can pave a smooth road where the wheels of trade and commerce may turn unhampered is by addressing poverty that is currently afflicting majority of the Filipino families." (By Nonoy Lacson )
