Pampanga schools receive encyclopedias

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines - A number of public elementary and high school principals and officials in the province trooped to the Executive House of the Capitol during the distribution of new sets of encyclopedias Thursday. Governor Eddie Panlilio led the distribution of full volume sets of Collier's Encyclopedia in a bid to improve educational standards and promote a wholesome appreciation of books and reading materials among public schools. About 14 public elementary and high schools were identified to be beneficiaries of the said distribution. Each of the 24 full volumes were given to Pulung Masle High School (Porac), Lanang Elementary School (Candaba), Sta. Monica Elementary (San Luis), Information and Communication Technology High School of Sinadalan (City of San Fernando), San Nicolas Elementary School (Arayat), Don Jesus Gonzales High School (Mexico), Sta. Monica High School (Macabebe), Mancatian Elementary School (Porac) and San Jose High School (Floridablanca), among others. "This book donation would surely enrich the struggling libraries that we have among our elementary and high schools. This is also in accordance with the Provincial Government's advocacy to improve educational standards for our children in the primary and secondary level," Panlilio said. The priest-turned-governor said the books were directly sourced from Ahon (Acts of Hope for the Nation) Foundation. Harvey Keh, executive director of Ahon Foundation and a known supporter of Panlilio's "good governance advocacy," was instrumental in the release of the said books to Pampanga. "Mr. Keh has been very supportive of us and with this they plan to enrich our local schools with the same materials that they are giving other school children," said Panlilio. He added that the Provincial Government is working closely with Keh on other future projects for local schools in the province. Ahon Foundation is a non-government organization concentrated on improving library facilities among schools and in general, the educational environment for children. Since its inception in 2006, Ahon has already helped establish 16 libraries in public elementary schools in Marikina, Quezon City, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Pangasinan. These libraries, which are developed by harnessing support from different members of the community, are currently benefiting more than 25,000 public elementary school students. It aims to respond to the needs of other public schools in areas like Basilan, Sarangani, Agusan del Sur and other provinces. "We hope our schools would really make use of these encyclopedias and not merely put them on display," Panlilio added, stressing that community support is also essential in developing library facilities in the province. - Sun.Star Pampanga