BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) recently took part in the Department of Education’s (DepEd) “Brigada Eskwela” program for 2023. This nationwide initiative encourages local governments, communities, businesses, NGOs, and individuals to pitch in and help clean up public schools before the new school year begins.
A total of 170 BDO employees volunteered their time and skills at Commonwealth Elementary School, one of the most densely populated elementary schools in the Philippines. BDO focused its efforts on the Jun Simon Building, where our volunteers painted and tidied up ten classrooms that would soon welcome 900 grade two students. Some volunteers also worked on the “Gulayan sa Paaralan” project, tending to the school’s vegetable garden. To cap off this meaningful activity, BDO made a generous school donation, including laptops, computer tables, TVs, and projector screens. This event marked the official start of BDO’s “Brigada Eskwela” initiatives across the country.
BDO’s collaboration with DepEd plays a crucial role in advancing the bank’s sustainability efforts in education within the Philippines. The recently launched Employee Volunteer Program (EVP) at BDO has allowed employees from different locations to contribute to creating a more conducive and vibrant learning environment. This program empowers our employees to be champions of sustainability through their volunteer work. The EVP also extends support to activities related to sustainability, focusing on addressing issues like poverty, hunger, environmental concerns, and financial inclusion.
Left photo: Wilma Manio (third from left), Principal of Commonwealth Elementary School, and Marla Garin-Alvarez (fourth from left), Head of Sustainability Office of BDO Unibank, lead the ceremonial turnover of BDO’s school donation which includes laptops, computer tables, TVs and projector screens. Joining them are (From L-R) Mario Deriquito, President of BDO Foundation, Vicente Perez Jr., Independent Director of BDO Unibank, Evelyn Salagubang, Head of Human Resources Group of BDO Unibank, and Rosemarie Espinosa, Program Director of BDO Foundation. Right photo shows Vicente Perez Jr. painting a school desk at Jun Simon Building.