Meralco uplifting communities through education

MANILA, Philippines – More than fulfilling its social responsibility by distributing electricity to homes and establishments all over the country, Meralco is investing in the future through education, since the company believes that it has the capacity to change lives and uplift communities.

Through its partnership with Gawad Kalinga, the Meralco Sibol School has “bloomed” through the years. In fact, a Meralco Sibol School was just recently inaugurated in Baseco GK Village in Manila and Designer GK Village in Caloocan City, bringing the total number of Sibol schools to 25.

“The Sibol School is Meralco’s way of nurturing the dreams of children and families and building community through education. It was launched as a response to the need of bringing community-based pre-school education at the heart of GK communities,” said Christopher Yap, head of Meralco’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) office. 

The Sibol School in Baseco GK Village, located in the Bagong Lupa, Port Area is the second in the City of Manila. No less than Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim was on hand to welcome the Meralco contingent headed by Manuel Lopez, Meralco chairman and CEO and Meralco president and COO Jose de Jesus. The Designer GK Village is the 5th Meralco Sibol School in Bagong Silang, Caloocan, the biggest barangay in the Philippines.

“The gift of education surpasses other material gifts that we can give to a child. It is with education that they will learn good values and manners and become productive citizens in the future,” said Lopez. This was reiterated by De Jesus who added that, “we are confident that the presence of a Meralco Sibol School in Baseco GK Village and Designer GK Village will create a positive change in the community especially in the values of children.”

Mayor Lim praised Meralco’s vision of nurturing the dreams of children and their families, and for equipping the young ones with the right primary education to help them grow up as responsible adults.

“We are committed to leaving a legacy in the field of education. This is not only a gift to the cities of Manila and Caloocan but our investment for the future,” said Lopez, who did the ceremonial painting and unveiled the dedicatory marker of the Sibol School in Manila together with De Jesus, and Tony Meloto, GK champion.

Apart from the construction of the school, every Meralco Sibol School is equipped with a Liwanag Learning Package consisting of learning materials, storybooks, educational toys; furnishing and equipment to support the holistic development of the child.

For more information on Meralco’s social responsibility programs, visit www.meralco.com.ph.