Private sector group launches storybook drive

FORMER Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC, BDO-Foundation President Mario Deriquito, and philanthropist and civil society leader Vicky Garchitorena have partnered with non-governmental organizations, corporations, business groups, and civil society groups to launch a storybook drive for public school students.

The campaign, dubbed “Sa Pagbasa, May Pagasa,” aims to donate 10 million storybooks a year to public schools nationwide, to students aged five to 15 years old. The campaign aims to help public school children gain access to a wide range of creative, interesting, and age-appropriate reading materials and instill in them a culture of reading and learning.

“Storybooks are an important part of learning because they help reinforce values learned at home and in school, spark a child’s imagination, and teach them about different people and environments,” said Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa co-convenor Br. Armin Luistro FSC. “We believe that through this campaign, we will help foster a love of reading and learning among Filipino children, equip them with key skills, and help build their character.”

The campaign is led by a Steering Committee composed of the following individuals and organizations: Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Jorge ‘Bolet’ Banal, the author of the Araw ng Pagbasa Act; Adarna Publishing; Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines; League of Corporate Foundations; BDO Foundation; Benedicta Du-Baladad Law, Makati Business Club; Association of Foundations; Ayala Foundation Inc.; De La Salle Philippines; Philippine Business for Social Progress; and the Management Association of the Philippines.

Individuals, corporations, and civil society organizations can support the campaign by doing the following: a) donating new or well-loved storybooks, b) donating cash to the campaign, or c) purchasing age and grade-specific book bundles curated by local publishing houses, such as: Adarna House, Ateneo de Manila University Press, Ilaw ng Tahanan Publishing, Lampara Publishing House, OMF Literature, and Vibal. PR