The Community Service and Relations Office (CSRO) and the Community Leaders Circle (CLC), a recognized organization of volunteers for community service launched a key project last August 15, 2010 at Sitio Balagbag-Araw, in Canlubang, Calamba City. The volunteers led by its President Jester John Monana, and members distributed school supplies and rain coats for the elementary and day care students of the community.
A total of 87 gift packages containing school supplies were distributed to the school children. These supplies were donated by the Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation whose advocacy is on supporting education programs.
Balagbag-Araw is situated in the mountainous portion of Canlubang and Silang Cavite. The community which is up to this date has no access to good roads and electricity. Students attend classes at Dapdap Elementary School in Tagaytay which is accessible by 20-30 minute walk along almost 4-kilometers of rough road which is very dusty on summer time, and very muddy on rainy season.
Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, director of the Community Service and Relations Office (CSRO) and the founding adviser of the CLC notes that “this project is part of MCL’s advocacy for lifelong learning where we support activities and initiatives that help uplift the quality of education in our partner communities. Balagbag Araw has been a good partner community for years already. The rain coats and school supplies that we shared to them will indeed help the children who go to school every day rain or shine. This is MCL’s way of telling the young children that education is valued and that they have partners who are willing to assist them as they become part of the society of lifelong learners”.
