Batangas kindergarten students received learning materials through World Vision’s Abutin Na10

The Department of Education (DepED Undersecretary for External Partnerships Service Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali, ESQ recently turned over 18,000 sets of printed learning materials for students in Batangas through through the “Abutin Na10” campaign in partnership with child-focused NGO World Vision. 

This ongoing campaign for the benefit of learners residing in poor and remote communities is World Vision’s initiative to respond to the government’s call to support its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP). 

“I want you to know by heart that no less than our constitution mandates that quality education be made accessible to all learners,” explained Usec. Umali while referring to the provision in the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines Article XIV Section 1 which states that “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Shopee partners with World Vision to support young Filipino learners through Abutin Na10 campaign

Last June, the Department of Education (DepEd) and World Vision launched a fundraising campaign entitled “Abutin Na10”. The initiative aims to ensure that millions of Filipino learners today continue to have access to good education despite the pandemic. Funds raised will directly support DepEd’s implementation of multi-modal learning approaches.

Months have passed, and many have been greatly affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. The children living in the poorest of the poor are among the most vulnerable. Since its launch, “Abutin Na10” has drawn support from various public and private sectors. It shows that aside from health and other basic needs, the nation recognizes education as a high priority today.

Las Piñas school heads initiate voluntary drive to support World Vision’s Abutin Na10

Abutin Na10 logo

A week after the launch of World Vision’s Abutin Na10 (to be read as ‘na-ten’) campaign, DepEd Las Piñas initiated a city-wide advocacy drive among its stakeholders to support the country’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan. 

“We are a family under one country so we ought to be compassionate for others who are in need, especially the most vulnerable children,” said Dr. Joel Torrecampo, Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Las Piñas City.

Dr. Torrecampo, known by his colleagues to be hands-on and tech-savvy, immediately posted an appeal to his social media groups followed mostly by his fellow DepEd officials and school heads. He led a simple voluntary ‘pass the hat’ initiative to help last-mile learners cope with the impact of COVID-19. 

In less than two weeks, they were able to raise Php 70,000, which they turned over to World Vision Education Manager Geomel P. Jetonzo and DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Liaison Office, External Partnerships Service and Project Management Service, Atty. Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq.

Secretary Briones lauds World Vision initiative to assist DepEd's learning continuity plan

Sec. Leonor Magtolis Briones of the Department of Education (DepEd) commended World Vision's massive educational fund drive "Abutin Na10" that aims to fund the reproduction of self-learning materials and gadgets to help thousands of students facing the new school year yet challenged by the COVID-19 crisis. 

The education chief asserts that “education must continue” with or without the threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) because it “is perhaps the greatest legacy we can leave our learners and our children.”

Briones said that "the health emergency has affected so many lives around the world, and has damaged our education curriculum, class schedules and overturned the system of delivering learning to children."