Citi Philippines continues the tradition of giving

Citi Philippines, together with long-time non-profit partner Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), turned-over 2,380 colorful, dual-language storybooks to fill up reading corners in at least 60 classrooms of Tipas Elementary School in Taguig City.

While most public schools have libraries, many of them are unable to expand or update their reading materials. And with some schools offering classes in shifts to accommodate more students, the time and opportunity for students to visit the library becomes limited as their subjects are crammed into half-day schedules.

This is why Citi Philippines continues to support the public school system through its annual Global Community Day. This worldwide exercise saw over 100,000 employees of Citi in 98 countries render service in the communities where they live and work.  In the Philippines, a record 5,000 volunteers gave their time alongside family and friends.

Of the 5,000, more than 1,200 participated in the PBSP Book Donation Drive campaign to promote access to age-appropriate books that will help students improve their reading skills and develop the love for reading. Citi volunteers raised Php238,000 to provide 60 reading nooks that will benefit over 3,000 students, who will now be able to enjoy interesting fiction books during their leisure time in their classrooms. 

Citi Philippines’ Director for Corporate Affairs and Citizenship, Aneth Lim presented the 2,380 storybooks together with PBSP’s Regional Portfolio Coordinator for Education, Nilo Tunac, to Tipas Elementary School Principal Dr. Angelita Buenafe and DepEd District Supervisor Rodel Magsino, who were most grateful to have Citi come back to their school and bring with them a gift of reading books. The turnover was held in the school gym, where hundreds of elementary students eagerly watched the turnover and waited to receive their set of reading books.

Close to Citi employees’ heart, Tipas Elementary School has been a long-time beneficiary of the bank’s philanthropic projects. It all began in 2002, when Citi launched Project Blue to mark the bank’s centennial year. Tipas Elementary School was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of a construction of school building and from then on, Citi employees have returned several times to volunteer their time and efforts during Global Community day with activities such as reading sessions to help the students become better readers; repainting chairs and tables, and cleaning classrooms during Brigada Eskwela and teaching the students to be disaster-ready