UC, CIPI donate approximately P5.2M worth of books to Kapangan schools

In time for the opening of classes, the University of the Cordilleras in partnership with Children International Philippines Inc. (CIPI) donated thousands of books amounting to approximately P5.2M pesos to 31 public elementary and high schools in Kapangan, Benguet.

UC's community arm Project HELEN led by VP for Administration Dr. Leonarda R. Aguinalde with the help of the Kapangan LGU through Mayor Manny Fermin turned over a total of 13,156 books to the school heads and teachers of 27 elementary schools and four high schools at the Kapangan Municipal Hall on May 30, 2018.

The lot consisted of assorted textbooks and workbooks covering an array of subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, History, and Geography, and a selection of novels and storybooks. These books were imported from thse United States by CIPI, a nonprofit, humanitarian organization dedicated to alleviating the burdens and effects of poverty on Filipino children.

Citing the lack of reference materials intended for the K to 12 Program, Kapangan Public Schools District Supervisor Aladin Dobinto said that these books will greatly help the teachers for the benefit of their students especially with Kapangan expecting around 2,500 elementary pupils and 1,000 high school students in the public schools this year.

"Teachers need to contextualize learning resources and these books are what they are looking for. These are good references for teachers especially in the K to 12 Program," Dobinto said.

Rizalyn Guznian, Chief Education Supervisor of the Curriculum Implementation Division of the Department of Education Benguet, said that these books came right in time for the opening of classes where teachers are seen further preparing for their lessons.

Guznian personally inspected the contents of the books and found that they are appropriate and relevant to the levels they are intended for especially with the introduction of a new curriculum.

"Many teachers really need these materials not just to update themselves with the new curriculum but also to guide the holistic development of the child," Guznian said.

With these books, Aguinalde underscored the importance of reading as a form of personal development. "People who are learning and growing every day through reading are more optimistic and enthusiastic," she said.

Aguinalde shared that in the next months, Itogon and Pangasinan are also set to receive books.

This book donation in Kapangan marks the 28th wave of learning resource materials turnovers spearheaded by UC and CIPI since 2010. UC and CIPI have since donated more than half a million books to 1,132 elementary and high schools all over the Cordillera Region and Northern Luzon.

In time for the opening of classes, the University of the Cordilleras in partnership with Children International Philippines Inc. (CIPI) donated thousands of books amounting to approximately P5.2M pesos to 31 public elementary and high schools in Kapangan, Benguet.

As part of its commitment to uphold the vision of its founder, Atty. Benjamin Romero Salvosa - who envisioned UC to be in the forefront of the preservation and promotion of Filipino culture and values, the University of the Cordilleras (UC) is set to launch a Cordilleran cultural festival entitled "CORdeMAYO."

Benjamin Salvosa, Founder of the Baguio Colleges Foundation, was named one of ten Awardees of the Quezon "Medalya ng Karangalan" by Quezon Province Governor Wilfrido L. Enverga and Quezon Day Awards Committee Chairman Antonio P. Acyata. Mr. Salvosa, who traces his roots to Unisan, Quezon; served in 1954 as Chairman and General Manager of the Philippine Coconut Administration (PHILCOA), drafted into government service by then President Ramon Magsaysay. Mr. Salvosa was cited posthumously for his accomplishments on behalf of the Coconut Farmers of the country, and for his contributions to the development of the Philippine Coconut Industry. The occasion for the Awards is this year's 125th birth anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, to be commemorated on August 19, 2003, at Lucena City.

The University of the Cordilleras is the newest holder of the Hall of Fame award in the regional category of the Gawad Kalasag for disaster readiness and emergency management.

Proving the university's solid support to government initiatives on disaster response, the University of the Cordilleras has been named the Best School (Urban-Private Category) for the second consecutive time in the Cordillera tilt of the 2015 Gawad Kalasag.