CEBU CITY–The Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group, recently stepped up its commitment to improving the country’s educational system by renewing agreements with its private and public sector scholarship partners in Cebu.

The Foundation signed memoranda of agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the City Social Welfare and Development Offices in Lapu-Lapu and Talisay Cities. This is in addition to the agreements signed with the Children of Cebu Foundation, Inc. (CCFI), the Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD), as well as 20 new college scholars. The signing ceremonies for all these took place last July 27 at Harold’s Hotel.

The Aboitiz Foundation then went on to turn over school supplies to SUWC (street urban working children) scholars in Lapu-Lapu and Talisay Cities last August 3, and financial assistance to high school scholars last August 5 to 7.

“A better-educated youth gives hope to the future of our country. This is the reason why education remains at the forefront of our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives,” said Augusto P.I. Carpio III, Aboitiz Foundation Chief Operating Officer. “We firmly believe education is where we can make the biggest impact as we continue to advance our efforts to help improve our country’s educational system,” Carpio added.

The Aboitiz Group currently supports a total of 2,610 scholars nationwide, with the Aboitiz Foundation alone supporting 330 scholars in Metro Manila and 1,575 scholars in Cebu. This year, 39 Aboitiz scholars graduated from college, 23 with Latin honors.

In the last 27 years, over 27,000 Filipino students have benefitted from the Aboitiz Foundation’s scholarship and financial programs.

Last year, the Aboitiz Group spent P437 million or 72% of its total CSR budget allocation – the biggest so far – to help realize its goal of achieving universal public education by establishing “BetterWorld” schools, which promise a better learning environment for students.

Established in 1988, the Aboitiz Foundation continues to pursue its mission to help people help themselves, implementing CSR interventions especially in communities where Aboitiz companies operate. The Foundation focuses its efforts on education, enterprise development, and environment but also carries out projects on health and well-being, as well as disaster preparedness and response.