Pinoy voters are now wiser

A Japanese company yesterday donated science laboratory equipment worth P100,000 to Florencio Urot Memorial National High School.

Toyoflex Cebu Corporation, one of the locators inside Mactan Export Processing Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, gave the equipment to the school in a simple turnover ceremony at the school's gym that was graced by Vice Mayor Michael Rama and councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, chairperson of the committee on education of the City Council.

The donation is composed of a mannequin of the human anatomy, model skeletal system, sample body parts, five microscopes, charts on the different systems and parts of the body, test tubes, goggles, among others. Pesquera said that the equipment will be used by second and third-year high school students who have biology and chemistry subjects.

Pesquera vowed that she and Rama would take care of the chemicals that the students will need in their laboratory class. The two legislators are also the legal counsels of Toyoflex.

In his speech, Rama said that the "donation is part of the company's commitment to uphold social responsibility. It would want to give back benefits to the Cebuanos who have helped the company grow."

He added that in fact, Toyoflex president Takashi Tanaka has discussed with them on "how the company could be of great help to the Cebuanos in the field of education," citing scholarships for students and training for teachers.

Rama said that Florencio Urot is already the fifth beneficiary of the project, after Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School, Talamban National High School, Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School, and Poblacion Pardo National High School.

The vice mayor added that the company decided to focus on education in its firm belief that the answer to poverty is "better education." Likewise, he urged teachers and students to make good use of the equipment in their classes.

In his speech, which was read by his representative, Tanaka said Toyoflex wants to help improve the educational system in the Philippines like how Japan implements a sound educational system. 

Tanaka also urged the students to help the country by "studying very hard and exploring opportunities that come along."

Department of Education-Cebu City Division chief Lorna Rances thanked Toyoflex for the donated items and encouraged the students to use the equipment well.

She said that the DepEd would be monitoring the use of the equipment to check whether students have learned from them.

School principal Salvacion Micame and other school officials accepted the equipment and thanked Toyoflex for the gesture. - Wenna A. Berondo/MEEV