After 17 years of continuing cooperation, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) and the Educational Research Development Assistance Foundation Inc. (ERDA) renewed their partnership in extending services to street children and students who are less fortunate and members of indigenous communities.
Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President and ERDA Executive Director Ms. Dolora Cardeno agreed to continue working together after the present agreement matures at the end of the year. Ms. Cardeno together with Ms. Lyn G. Rivera, Operation Manager- Visayas and Ms. Sandra Dichoso, Operation Manager paid a visit at the President’s office on October 12, 2016.
ERDA is a non-governmental organization that provides school supplies, uniforms and financial assistance to students and preschoolers of identified partner schools and communities through the university’s Extension Services Division (ESD). Under the partnership, the ESD identifies and organizes the beneficiaries and carries out the program in the target community or school.
According to ESD Chief Dr. Corazon C. Corbal, ERDA will trim down its partnership from fifty to only four partner-schools in the Visayas by 2017. ISAT U was one of the four chosen to remain as ERDA’s partner.
At present, there are at least 500 recipients of the Education Assistance Program (EAP) from the municipalities of Maasin, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Lemery, San Rafael, Barotac Nuevo, Passi City, Santa Barbara and Lambunao. Each received free school supplies, school uniforms and a financial assistance of 50 pesos.
The program also covers 125 pre-schoolers in San Joaquin, Miag-ao, Leganes, Lambunao and Iloilo City, particularly from Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School. The pupils and their teachers received workbooks, supplies and graduation materials.