DAVAO DEL NORTE – The Banana Industry Tripartite Council (BITC) XI under the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) XI is set to build a classroom for the Indigenous Peoples (IP) pupils of Basak Elementary School.

The council together with DOLE XI representatives conducted the Groundbreaking Ceremony to officially commence the classroom building at Sitio Basak last May 10, 2018. The Council comprised by the management, labor, and government sector together with its social partners and stakeholders travelled an hour and half from Tagum City to Sitio Basak for the said event.

With more or less a hundred pupils enrolled, the school currently has one concrete and three nipa hut classrooms that caters pupils from Grades 1 to 6 last school year.

The ceremony was headed by Davao del Norte Field Office Head Angelina Talingting together with Davao City Field Office Chief Erlinda Mamitag and DOLE XI Labor Relations Regional Focal Person Senior LEO Francis Dominique Nazario. Also present were BITC XI Vice Chairman Beatriz Francia of the Management Sector and Edgardo Jumawan of the Labor Sector together with other supportive officials of the Council.

Along with the ceremony was the turnover of grocery supplies sponsored by the Federation of Family Welfare Stakeholders XI, Inc. (FFWS-XI) to the volunteers of the construction. School and office supplies were also awarded to the pupils and teachers of Basak Elementary School by Mindanao Banana Farmers and Exporters Association (MBFEA).

The classroom building project is the outcome from the proceeds of 2^nd Sagip Batang Manggagawa Run held last October 2017. The event’s success can be attributed to the support of the companies from the banana industry together with the different stakeholders from industries like retail, service, and construction.

With joint initiatives and efforts of compassionate men and women behind this cause, the finished classroom building is set to be turned over before the classes on June will start.

Moreover, the Council is currently preparing for this year’s Sagip Batang Manggagawa run set on October. They hope to continue on serving not just the pupils but are also planning to extend a bigger scope of assistance to the community.

By: Dyanarha P. Lavadia/DOLE-DNFO