In a significant move to honor the nation's educators, a powerful alliance between the private sector and the government has come together to provide comfort and support to public school teachers across the Philippines.
A Ceremonial Turnover for National Educators
A formal ceremony recently held at the Department of Education (DepEd) office in Makati City marked the turnover of 10,000 UNIQLO AIRism T-shirts destined for teachers nationwide. The event saw key figures from collaborating organizations, including UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer Geraldine Sia, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, BDO Network Bank Group Head Alberto O. Quiogue, and BDO Foundation President Mario A. Deriquito, formally handing over the donation.
This initiative is the local execution of UNIQLO's global Heart of LifeWear Project, which aims to provide LifeWear clothing to communities in need around the world. Since its 2024 launch, the project has donated over one million clothing items globally.
Holistic Support Beyond Banking
For BDO Network Bank and BDO Foundation, this partnership extends their long-standing commitment to empowering the education sector. The bank has consistently worked with DepEd on various programs, including teacher's loans and financial literacy training. This donation of comfortable apparel represents a holistic approach to support, acknowledging the daily challenges faced by educators.
"Every time we lift our teachers, we strengthen the communities that depend on them," stated Education Secretary Sonny Angara. He emphasized that the shirts are more than just clothing; they are a meaningful gesture of gratitude for the teachers' steady dedication in molding the country's future citizens.
Geraldine Sia of UNIQLO Philippines highlighted the brand's philosophy, saying, "Our Heart of LifeWear encapsulates the essence of what our philosophy is all about – clothing made for all, with the purpose of empowering people." She expressed hope that the gift would provide the comfort teachers need in their daily lives.
Complementary Initiatives for Education
Alongside the clothing donation, BDO's support for education continues through innovative financial instruments. In a related development, BDO Unibank Inc., Friends of Hope Inc. (HOPE), and DepEd sealed a 'zero-cost-to-government' pact to fund classroom construction.
Under this agreement, every use of the new BDO HOPE Mastercard credit card generates contributions for building DepEd-validated classrooms. BDO will donate P5.00 to the classroom fund for every P1,000 in qualified spending, plus a portion of annual membership fees. The bank will shoulder all associated costs, with DepEd overseeing school selection and standards compliance.
Secretary Angara noted this partnership creates a concrete path to reduce the classroom gap, a challenge that requires collaborative solutions. "Every swipe gives renewed hope to every learner," he added.
These combined efforts from BDO, UNIQLO, and DepEd underscore a shared vision: investing in teachers and educational infrastructure is a direct investment in the nation's progress and the future of every Filipino child.
