“Hindi talaga ako nagkamali sa pagpayag ko sa Dole Philippines Inc. na pasukin ang Brgy. Maan ng kanilang Growership Program. Ngayon pa lang, nakikita na natin agad ang mga tulong na kanilang iniabot sa atin,” barangay captain Rodolfo Sabod of Maan told students and teachers of Coong Elementary School during the turn-over ceremony of the Dolefil-DuPont Learning Center in Sitio Coong, Maan, T’boli last June 22.
It was in February this year when Maan formally became part of Dolefil’s Growership Program. Besides the assistance in livelihood, the company also saw the barangay’s need for better education. That is why in partnership with DuPont, a 35 sq. m. classroom was put up in this far-flung area.
After two months of construction, the new classroom was finally turned over to the people of Sitio Coong, complete with chairs, a chalk board, a teacher’s table and a comfort room. When news about the new classroom broke in the area, enrollees increased from 250 to 329.
During the turn-over program, representatives from Dolefil and DuPont also distributed hygiene kits and school supplies to the school children in Maan. The students, their parents and teachers wished that Dolefil’s aid does not stop there.
The students are now beneficiaries of Kapit Bisig Para sa Kabataan, a province-wide feeding program sponsored by the province of South Cotabato and Dolefil, among others.
Dolefil and DuPont are exploring other programs where they complement each other in efforts to help the community.
