(Edited Press Release)
You can be a BIDA (hero) and help pandemic-hit schools with as little as singkwenta (₱50) donation!
In its commitment to continuously support education regardless of time, space or threats, volunteer-powered group, I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) is calling on everyone to join hands anew in its fundraising campaign called Bigay-Ayuda para sa Eskwela or BIDA Eskwela Year 2.
The multi-awarded non-profit organization aims to raise at least ₱200,000 in 50 days from every donor’s ₱50 or singkwenta pocket donations with #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta. Collections from this social media push will help select underprivileged schools in the Philippines that have been equally affected by the ongoing pandemic.
Now on its second year, BIDA Eskwela targets to send supplemental aid to 20 initial beneficiaries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao that include schools in Pangasinan, La Union, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Bulacan, Romblon, Rizal, Metro Manila, Antique, Bukidnon, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, and Zamboanga City.
The nationwide, digital-centric donation drive runs from Aug. 5 to Sept. 24, in time for the opening of School Year 2021-2022 next month.
Citizen action, hope to cope
While the Department of Education had allocated funds for the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan in the time of Covid-19 (BE-LCP), it is simply not enough. Oftentimes, teachers and non-teaching personnel have to shell out their own money. This is why there’s an earnest patriotic duty to help fill in the gap. There’s a need for urgent citizen action.
Depending on the actual auxiliary needs of the identified school beneficiaries under their Brigada Eskwela program, funds raised from the campaign will be distributed to each institution to help them in carrying out their various distance learning delivery pursuits and assist them in addressing other equally important school maintenance resource gaps.
#BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta, Sing & Share
In 2020, from the original target of ₱200,000 for 20 schools, the first BIDA Eskwela fund drive overwhelmingly raised more than ₱400,000 in 40 days. The accumulated extra funds were extended to 20 more schools, benefiting a total of 40 learning institutions.
I am M.A.D. also invites the public to be a part of this year’s level-up digital campaign on Facebook and Tiktok with “Sing & Share.” While there are 20 initially identified beneficiaries for the #BIDAEskwelaSingkwenta fundraising campaign, this can be expanded further with the help of so-called SING-fluencers or carolers who can lend their singing voice every day for 50 days, thereby reaching far more schools to help more young learners. Interested SING-fluencers can join the SINGkwentahan by following and contacting the organization through fb.com/IamMakingADifference or tiktok.com/@iammad_ph.
Interested individuals or entities are encouraged to donate as little as P50 through the following mobile wallet and bank savings accounts: GCash or PayMaya (09088176049 / Erwin Dela Cruz), BDO (Mayo Ceazar Mendoza / 003010257672), Metrobank (Mark Conrad Ravanzo / 0663725653850), BPI (Ruth Butad / 0829342561), Landbank (Bigjay C. Lagang / 2986155891), UnionBank (Vonn Vincent Tanchuan / 109420073791). Donations are also accepted via PayPal ().
For more details, visit BIDA Eskwela’s official donation information platform at . For transparency, all donation receipts and proceeds from the actual collections are published and viewable at .
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