Balik-Baterya project to help Tacas Elementary school pupils

Balik-Baterya project to help Tacas Elementary school pupils
By T.W.Villavert
PIA Region 6
February 13, 2011

ILOILO CITY, Feb 13 (PIA)--- Some 389 children studying at the Tacas Elementary School, Jaro, this city, are expected to improve their academic performance following the turn-over of educational materials from the Balik-baterya project.

School Principal Clarissa S. Ojera said in a PIA interview that “ the project is beneficial for the growth of our pupils because some of our books and other learning materials were damaged by the flood, and with this donated educational materials our pupils will be encouraged to study, read more books, and will really help them learn their school subjects."

During the turn-over ceremomy, Senior Program Officer Maricar Olivia Jabido of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) said that three elementary schools in Iloilo are recipients of the Balik Baterya Program which is initiated by the PBSP, Motolite and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company.

By partnering with PBSP, DENR, DEpEd, Motolite has involved the business sector in donating their used batteries which the Motolite buys at a premium price.

The used lead acid batteries from cars, forklifts and other industrial machineries are toxic and harmful to human and environment if disposed improperly.

The PLDT’s used lead acid were bought by Motolite, and the proceeds were used to fund the establishment of learning resource centers (LRCs), which take the form of mini-libraries that include a table, chairs and a bookshelf filled with books and supplementary instructional materials on Math, Science, English, Pilipino, social studies and environment education.

For her part, Evelyn del Rosario, senior manager of the PLDT encouraged teachers to encourage all their students to love the books, and set a schedule for the children’s time to go to the library.

The PBSP, PLDT and Motolite has generated some P880,000 from used lead acid batteries and the fund is used for the established 22 Local Resource Centers in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo and Samar.

Beneficiaries of the Balik-baterya program for Iloilo are Sta. Rita Elementray School and Abilay Elementary School in Oton, Iloilo; and Tacas Elementary School, Jaro Iloilo City. (JCM/TWV/PIA)