As part of its advocacy to support farming communities, Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines, through its partner foundation, Sustainable Coconut Supply Chain Foundation, Inc. (SCSCFI), teamed up with Children International Philippines Inc. (CIPI) to launch the BOOKS (Bridging Opportunities, Optimizing Knowledge Support) initiative in selected elementary schools across Mindanao.
Through CIPI’s Gift-in-Kind Program, SCSCFI became a sub-recipient of approximately P3.3 million worth of educational learning materials and reading references, provided by Kasilak Development Foundation Inc., CIPI’s local partner. Over 2,000 school children from eight public elementary schools in the BARMM and Davao regions benefitted from this collaboration.
More than just learning materials, the books symbolize access to new ideas, perspectives, and experience, helping children optimize their educational journey. The initiative is driven by the goal of improving school children’s access to quality learning and educational resources, grounded in the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to read and learn.
Joemil S. Montebon, Executive Director of SCSCFI says, “It is with fervent hope, through the continuous generosity of CIPI, that with the inception of this initiative – sowing the seed, so to speak, this will further pave way and bring in more opportunities for school children in geographically challenging and hardly-reached communities in Mindanao – under the guiding principles of no child is left behind and every child is a reader.”
SCSCFI is a non-stock, non-profit developmental organization committed to advancing sustainability and resilience within the coconut industry by creating lasting positive impact through innovative solutions and collaborative partnerships. Recognizing the challenges faced by the industry, its core mission is to promote a sustainable coconut supply chain that supports both environmental stewardship and empowerment of local communities.
