For
over a decade now, associates from Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines,
Inc. (CCBPI) Iloilo have been volunteering in the Brigada Eskwela
program of the Department of Education, helping repair and prepare
public elementary and high school classrooms and other facilities before
the opening of classes. This is to help ensure that these structures
are ready for the students upon the start of the school year.
Last
May 25, over 30 volunteers from Coca-Cola Iloilo plant and distribution
center trooped to the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School in
Cabugao Norte, Pavia, Iloilo to wholeheartedly lend a hand in the
cleaning and painting of the main gate, entrance pathway, and school
façade; in the painting of chairs for one Grade III Classroom; and to
donate cleaning materials and liquid hand soap to support the school’s
hand-washing program.
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| Paintbrushes in hand, CCBPI associates help paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. |
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| CCBPI associates paint school chairs at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. |
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| All in a day’s work: CCBPI Brigada Eskwela volunteers pose for posterity, following a productive and fulfilling day of volunteering at the Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta Sr. Memorial School. |
“Iloilo
has long played a big part in Coca-Cola’s story in the country,” said
Paz Pollentes, Iloilo Plant’s Manufacturing Executive . “As a way of
expressing our thanks and giving back, we actively involve ourselves in
worthwhile efforts such as Brigada Eskwela. Volunteerism has always been a fundamental part
of our culture at Coca-Cola. The motivation comes from purpose or, as
we say it, 'why we are inspired to work.’ We want to create a positive
impact through advocacies.”
Pollentes
adds, “We firmly believe in the value of education, and in giving kids a
conducive environment for learning. By taking part in Brigada Eskwela,
we hope to have made a lasting difference in the lives of our potential
leaders of tomorrow.”
Throughout
the Coca-Cola system, thousands of CCBPI associates nationwide actively
volunteer their time and resources to positively contribute to programs
and projects on education, health, and livelihood, and environment
conservation.
As
a company, CCBPI ensures that it leaves a lasting positive impact in
its host-communities, as it works toward continuously strengthening
partnerships with all stakeholders through environmentally- and
socially-conscious policies.