Subic firms to help public-school system

By Malou Dungog, MT Central Luzon Bureau

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: The Department of Education asked businessmen in the Subic Bay area to support the department’s “Adopt-A-School” program.

The program aims to enlist the help of private institutions and individuals in upgrading the public school system.

Education Secretary Florencio Abad made the appeal during a meeting with businessmen in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

Representatives Antonio Roman of Bataan and Mitos Magsaysay of the First District of Zambales hosted the meeting, which was attended by executives of the SBMA, the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce, Taiwanese, Japanese and American investors in the SBMA, and teachers and principals from Bataan and Zambales.

“Since the government cannot provide adequate funding required in making our public schools competitive, the private sector should recognize its role... in improving the public school system,” Abad told the gathered businessmen and officials.

He said since the country’s educational system is in a crisis, businesses in the Subic Bay area should help provide quality education to children around the Freeport.

“Your investment in the Department of Education will come back to you in the form of more competent graduates that will man your companies,” he said.

The DepEd, Abad said, needs help in building more schools and libraries, training better teachers, developing laboratories, purchasing computers and feeding school children.

Abad said donors to the program will get tax exemptions and deductions. Since businesses in the Freeport enjoy tax privileges, their employees will receive the tax exemptions instead. The two congressmen said they would refer the matter to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

Gary Mendoza, president of the Subic Bay Chamber of Commerce, said his organization will do what it can to help uplift the quality of education around the Freeport.

Jeff Lin, head of the Subic Bay Development and Management Corp., also pledged support for the program even if donors do not receive anything in return