The Quezon City local government has raised around P13 million cash donations for its Learning Recovery Trust Fund.

A former educator and an education advocate, Mayor Joy Belmonte played a pivotal role in initiating the creation of a special fund designed to enhance the budget allocated to address the educational setbacks in public schools, which were exacerbated by the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I really believe in my heart that education holds the key to bring our country upward. With this program, we are ensuring that all public school students are given the necessary learning tools and programs to strengthen their foundational reading and numeracy skills,” Mayor Belmonte said on Saturday, July 12.

According to the local government, the contributions came from various sources including private organizations, individuals, and business collectives. Notable among these are Rotary International District 3780, the Hiranand Group, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Quezon City, and the QC Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen Inc.

Belmonte also expressed her gratitude to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) for their P500,000 donation to the QC Learning Recovery Fund.

Gen. Torre, QCPD director, said that by investing in education, we help address the present needs of our citizens.

“Through this initiative, we help in equipping students with academic skills that will later help them engage in nation building, participate in conflict resolution, and contribute positively to society,” he said.

He also emphasized the significance of collaborating with a proactive and committed community in order to create a peaceful and more secure living environment.

The QC Learning Recovery Trust Fund, established through City Ordinance SP 3182 s. 2023, serves as a specialized account which aims to support educational endeavors, promote collaboration and shared commitment among education stakeholders.

Under the Learning Recovery Fund is the QC Tutoring Program aimed at reducing non-readers and non-numerates in public schools.

During its initial trial phase, a total of 58 students who were recognized as non-readers from Commonwealth Elementary School and Bago Bantay Elementary School underwent intensive tutoring sessions for eight weeks.

Following their engagement in the tutoring sessions, the students, who were previously struggling with reading, showcased remarkable advancements in their literacy skills. They are now capable of recognizing and vocalizing letters, reading commonly used words, grasping the meaning of brief passages, and comprehending fundamental texts.

This year, the city administration aims to register 5,000 students for participation in the program. Over the following two years, the local government has set a goal of enhancing the abilities of 50,000 students attending public schools in Quezon City.

To secure additional funds for the program, Quezon City recently introduced the Kilo/s Kyusi Store which sells both secondhand and brand-new items donated by employees of QC hall departments, city officials, and several collaborating organizations. The proceeds from the week-long marketplace exceeded P1 million.

The local government encourages all potential donors to contribute.

Any sum can be donated via the Learning Recovery Fund at Land Bank of the Philippines  account number LBP 1722-1032-42.