The Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation, Inc. (CLFI), in collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command (AFP WESCOM), has recently extended its educational support to Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea. The initiative, undertaken last 25 February 2024, aims to overcome obstacles and make quality education accessible for residents, marking a significant step towards fostering inclusive education.
Situated in the disputed Spratly Archipelago, Pag-asa Island has grappled with limited educational resources due to its isolation. Acknowledging this challenge, CLFI has taken a bold stride by offering tailored educational support to address the island’s unique needs.
“As we extend our educational support to Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea through our ALS initiatives, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering accessible learning opportunities for all Filipinos, regardless of geographical boundaries. The recognition from DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte serves as a testament to the impact of our efforts, driving us further in our mission to empower communities through education,” according to Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
CLFI’s Executive Director, Jonathan D. Batangan, and AFP WESCOM Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos, along with other key officials, were present during the donation turnover ceremony. The items handed over included laptops, printers, smart TVs, external hard drives, and essential supplies, intended to enhance the learning experience for the island’s residents.
The impact of CLFI’s endeavors has garnered praise from the Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary and Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. At the recently concluded DepEd Partners’ Appreciation and Recognition event held at GSIS Theater last 20 February 2024, Secretary Duterte commended CLFI for its commitment to quality and accessible education, particularly highlighting the significance of its Alternative Learning System (ALS) initiatives. CLFI was recognized for partnering with over 155 elementary and high schools nationwide to promote alternative education.
“As we expand our educational support to Pag-Asa Island through our ALS initiatives, we are deeply honored to receive recognition from DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte. This acknowledgment fuels our passion to continue empowering underserved communities through accessible education. We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating opportunities for lifelong learning and socio-economic advancement for all,” Batangan said.
The event at GSIS Theater in Pasay City served as a platform to acknowledge the substantial contributions of DepEd partners in advancing educational goals. Attended by 173 key stakeholders, including government officials, educators, and representatives from partner organizations, the award was received on behalf of CLFI by Institutional Programs Head Caesar “Levis” Navarro.
CLFI’s educational initiatives extend beyond Pag-asa Island and encompass various programs such as the ALS Teachers’ and Learners’ Summit, Brigada Eskwela support, the National ALS Teachers Awards (NALSTAR), and collaboration with the Literacy Coordinating Council for the National Literacy Awards since 2013. Additionally, CLFI is in discussions with DepEd to recognize higher learning institutions and local government units for innovative financial literacy initiatives through the Vice President Sara Duterte Awards for Financial Literacy.
As CLFI continues its mission to champion inclusive education, the initiatives on Pag-Asa Island serve as a testament to the transformative power of education in challenging environments. With unwavering dedication, CLFI remains committed to building a better future for all through inclusive education.