DAVAO CITY—Lumad, or tribal, schools in two northern barangays got fresh school supplies for tribal students from the social arm of the Aboitiz-owned Davao Light and Power Co., which also extended financial assistance to a university tribal program.
The Davao Light said it donated 150 bags that include notebooks, yellow pad papers, ballpens, pencils, erasers, ruler, crayons, and reams of bond paper under the Tabang Pa-eskwela sa Tribu 2021 project of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
It said its donation was an annual commitment to the NCIP since 2015 for the educational support of indigenous students. The Aboitiz Group’s social development arm, Aboitiz Foundation Inc., also contributed.
The schools were located in the interior villages of Marilog and Paquibato Districts.
Director Michael M. Mamukid and NCIP Provincial Officer Cristito D. Ingay said the donation would benefit “the indigenous students even in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”
The NCIP thanked Davao Light for being a part of the Tabang Pa-eskwela sa Tribu 2021 project of NCIP Region XI.
The Davao Light, meanwhile, also extended financial assistance of P270,000 to supplement the Lumad scholarship program of the Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue (MICD), the community engagement arm of the Ateneo de Davao University.
MCID Director Perpevina Tio said the yearly support “helped Lumad scholars get their college degree, helping students in their expenses for transportation, dormitory, food and other needs.”
“On behalf of the Ateneo and Lumad scholars who have graduated through your help, we are so grateful,” she said.
Davao Light’s support to MICD’s program began in 2002.