A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) paving the way for the establishment of some 10,000 public school classrooms through OFW sponsorships was signed today between the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd) and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).

The project, called “Classroom, Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad”, was signed at the DFA between Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, DOLE Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas, DepEd Secretary Edilberto De Jesus, represented by Undersecretary Ramon C. Bacani, and Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce (FFCCCI) President Robin Sy. The program aims to encourage Filipino Community organizations abroad to sponsor the establishment of public school classrooms in the Philippines.

Under the program, the DepEd shall identify critical areas where classrooms are to be established. The DFA through the Philippine Embassies and Consulates as well as through DOLE’s Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) shall conduct on-site information dissemination activities on the project, while the DOLE’s Kabayanihan Program will manage the project overall.

FFCCCI, whose achievements include the establishment of over 5,000 classrooms nationwide, shall facilitate the construction of the classrooms.

The current initiative is the latest adopt-a-classroom project launched for overseas Filipinos. The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has an on-going adopt-a-classroom project being coordinated with several Filipino organizations in the United States under the Lingkod Sa Kapwa Filipino (LINKAPIL) program.

"There is a saying that politicians look to the next elections but statesmen look to the next generation. We see an example of statesmanship here today." Secretary Ople said after the signing.

"Through this program, we hope to help the younger generation, especially the children of our less fortunate kababayans by ensuring that they have a roof over their heads while attending class. I call on Filipinos overseas to make a personal investment in our country's future by participating in this adopt-a-classroom program."

There are 7.4 Filipinos overseas with an estimated annual remittance of US$ 7-12 billion. - END