OFW Journals (OFW Stories on the News) and Some OFW Employment, Career & Business Tips

Do you know that in the Philippines, there are public schools with 100 to 200 students in one classroom? And there are classes being held in makeshift classrooms and even under the trees, under scorching heat or sudden rain! This situation may not only discourage schooling among children but may have negative effect on quality education.

You can help! Whether we are at home or overseas, we have a stake here. Our sense of social responsibility and spirit of "bayanihan" (cooperation) move us to pool resources and invest on education of the Filipino youth.

Donate a classroom, now! A 49 sq. m (7m x 7m) classroom costs US$ 4,000. The same standard classroom normally costs Php 375,000 but because this project is animated by "bayanihan", an association of local private contactors and suppliers are willing to build classrooms at cost, for goodwill!

Anyone can be a donor - overseas Filipino associations, foreign employers, local private company, civic organization or individual. [ donor form - Local or Overseas]

Your premium as a Donor!

* Your name will be emblazoned on the classroom/building
* A token/plaque of appreciation from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo or the Secretary of DOLE, DFA and DepEd
* Media publicity on your generosity
* For local donors, tax credits [BIR Revenue Order]
* GOODWILL IN THE COMMUNITIES

ABOUT THE CLASSROOM PROJECT

PROJECT BRIEF
The "Classroom, Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad" (CGMA) project is one of the priorities of the Department of Labor and Employment in support of the basic education agenda of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

This donate-a-classroom project is tapping primarily the resources of about 12,000 overseas Filipino community groups across Middle East, Asia, Europe and the US. These groups' potential contribution to our socio-economic progress, other than their individual members' yearly foreign exchange remittances to the economy, remains untapped.
OUR TARGET

To build 10,000 classrooms until June 2004 in elementary and secondary public schools with critical shortage nationwide, through donations from overseas Filipino communities, foreign employers, local private companies, civic organizations and individuals.

ROLE OFDOLE AND PARTNERS

Through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 27 June 2003, the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) forged partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII). Under the MOA:

The DepEd will identify and coordinate with public schools regarding critical classroom shortages.

The DFA, through its corps of foreign service posts, and the DOLE, through its Overseas Labor Offices will establish a quota system where specific number of classrooms will be solicited for donations from target donors.

The FFCCCII will initiate/arrange/facilitate the engagement of qualified and competent contractors to undertake the actual construction of classrooms according to the standards/specifications agreed by all parties.

The DOLE shall manage the project under its Kabayanihan Program.

STRATEGY

The following activities are now being undertaken for the project:
Establishing a pledging mechanism or system where specific number of classrooms are to be committed by potential donors.

Implementing a marketing plan. The plan employs strategies such as promotional tours, road show presentations, and visits to areas of target donors, local and overseas.
Activation of a master list of classroom-short schools from which donors could choose and identify where to build a classroom.

Implementation of a communication program in support of the marketing plan. The program aims to raise awareness and generate broad support for the project among Filipinos overseas.

OVERSEAS DONATIONS

Go to any bank nearest you.

Ask for outward remittance form and fill-out the following:

Value Date: ____________________
Currency: U.S. Dollar
Amount: ____________________
To: Citibank New York
Beneficiary Bank: Development Bank of the Philippines A/C No. 36002016 Favor CGMA Project c/o DBP Trust Account

For third currency (Euro, HK$, Sing$, etc.), remit in equivalent US Dollars to Citibank New York for credit Dev. Bank of the Phils. (DBP) a/c no. 36002016 favor CGMA Project (c/o DBP Trust Account).

Get Bank Receipt and copy furnish the Labor Attache or the Philippine Ambassador / Consul- General or DOLE Manila

LOCAL DONATIONS

PESO Outright Deposit:

Go to DBP or Equitable-PCIB Head Offices or any of its branches nationwide.

For deposit to DBP, issue check in favor of Trust Services FAO CGMA Project and deposit check to DBP-TS C/A 0-01064-405-4 FAO CGMA. For deposit to Equitable PCIB, Issue check for credit DBP H.O. Acount No. 1459-00071-9 with Equitable PCIB Bel-Air Branch, favor CGMA Project c/o DBP Trust Account.

Get bank receipt and copy furnish the DOLE Regional Office or the CGMA Project Management Office.

US Dollar bank-to-bank transfer

Request local bank to remit US dollar via PDDTS to Citibank Manila for credit DBP account no. 5/601845/018 favor CGMA Project c/o DBP Trust.

For check donations, issue checks in US Dollar or in Peso Payable to Development of the Phils./CGMA Project c/o DBP Trust Account.

Get bank receipts and copy furnish DOLE Regional Office or the CGMA Project Management Office.

more information at http://www.cgma.dole.gov.ph/about_us.htm