Literacy deep inside Uratex's heart

MANILA, Philippines - Showing the importance of education as a catalyst toward national development, the RGC/Uratex Group of Companies, makers of Uratex Foam and Uratex Premium Mattress, Uratex Monoblock, and Readywrap Containers and supplier of various automotive parts to the Automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) industry, has been contributing its resources to help in various activities related to literacy and learning, especially among young schoolchildren.

One such activity is the initiative of AGAPP or the “Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa” Foundation. This group, made up of former classmates of President Aquino aims to elevate the quality of pre-school education in the country so that these kids may lead successful lives in the future.

The AGAPP has already partnered with several private companies, including government and non-government organizations, since it started the “Silid Pangarap” project, which aims to build hundreds of one-story, two-room school-library facilities, mostly in poor and marginalized areas around the country.

The AGAPP also hopes that parents and other concerned citizens can also join in the cause.

The setup involves one room at a Silid Pangarap facility to function as a classroom while the other can serve as a school library.

During the first year of the Aquino administration, the AGAPP was able to build around 109 Silid Pangarap rooms. For the second year, the group is eyeing to build up to 150 Silid Pangarap buildings and ultimately, the AGAPP hopes to build a total of 1,000 Silid Pangarap classrooms by the end of Aquino’s six-year term.

Last month, one of AGAPP’s major partners, the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., turned over to the AGAPP over 52 pre-school classrooms in 26 public schools as part of the foundation’s commitment to build 90 classrooms until 2012, during official turnover rites held at Casino Español in Cebu City.

Jon Ramon Aboitiz, president of the Aboitiz Foundation, was present together with AGAPP president and presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and RGC/Uratex representatives Peachy Cheng-Medina, managing director; Stephen Cheng-Lee, Vis-Min general manager; and John Ferdinand Cheng-Rosagas, management trainee.

As a co-sponsor, Uratex joined the project by donating Uratex monoblock tables and chairs for the 150 classrooms built so far, and has committed to donate for the rest of the 1,000 classrooms that the AGAPP will build. 

“For us, it was a joy watching these kids study under the watchful eyes of their teachers but more importantly, in brand-new classrooms with enough materials to aid them in their learning. Our vision in supporting AGAPP is for the long term because we believe that education is of prime importance in building a highly literate citizenry and more importantly, an empowered nation that will push for progressive national development,” said Pinky Cheng-Rosagas, finance director of the RGC/Uratex Group of Companies.

Supporting education initiatives, especially geared toward literacy of the country’s youth, is not new to Uratex. The company is again part of another ambitious project which will build the country’s first world-class science museum for the benefit of our country’s children.

Aptly called “Mind Museum,” the ultra-modern science museum, located in a 12,000 square meter site at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, is set to open by year’s end.

“We have always looked at education as a necessary tool for national development. We are more than happy to be involved in efforts related to education like the ‘Silid Pangarap’ project and now the ‘Mind Museum.’ Aside from our other endeavors, education is closest to us, and this also serves as a fitting legacy to our father, Robert Cheng, who would have loved to see what his company achieved when it comes to help educating the youth of today,” said Cheng-Rosagas.

For other details on Uratex, visit www.uratex.com.ph. To learn how to help AGAPP and The Mind Museum, visit www.agapp.ph and www.themindmuseum.org.