The Makati City local government on Friday, Sept. 29, welcomed officials of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs spearheaded by Singapore Ambassador Constance See as they visited the city's Mobile Library in Makati Elementary School.

(Photo from Makati LGU)

Makati City Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo delivered a message on behalf of Mayor Abby Binay, highlighting the significance of the Makati Mobile Library as a symbol of commitment to accessible knowledge.

The event was also attended by Second Secretary Political Amanda Cheah, Research Assistant Sofi Espejo, and other members of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Councilor Armand Padilla, Councilor Julian San Mateo, Makati Schools Division Superintendent Evalou Concepcion San Agustin, Makati Mobile Library supervisor Tomas Galiza, Education Department head Leni Fermin, and Makati Elementary School Principal Elsa Soliva were also present during the program.

The city government also expressed its gratitude to the Singapore delegation for their generous donation of books for the Mobile Library Program. This further strengthened ties between the two nations and contributed to the enrichment of Makati's educational resources.

On June 2, Binay led the launch of the city's newest Mobile Learning Hubs in its bid to further improve the quality of education of the Makatizen youth and address the growing number of basic reading and writing deficiencies in the country.

According to her, the city government procured two Mobile Learning Hubs and announced her administration's plan to purchase additional vehicles for the initiative.

Makati's Mobile Learning Hub project was first launched during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic where it transformed 27 jeepneys to become "Dyipni Makati." 

The jeepneys are equipped with laptops, internet connection, books and other learning materials to be used by the city's youth who are having difficulties in their online learning classes due to lack of equipment and internet.

The two new Mobile Learning Hubs are equipped with books, TVs, tablets, tutorial lessons, and other learning equipment which are considered an upgrade from the Dyipni Makati vehicles.

"Kami sa Makati, sinisiguro namin na ang mga umaakyat ng baytang ay mga pasado talaga. Lagi kaming may assessments, we make sure that our students are readers kasi ang problema natin ay 'yung basic eh, basic reading and basic writing (We in Makati want to make sure that all children who are graduating really pass. That's why we regularly conduct assessments to make sure that our students are readers because the primary problem here are the lack of basic education techniques such as basic reading and basic writing). Basic reading and writing should be addressed as early as kinder until Grade 3," Binay said.

"Itong mobile library ang magiging tugon natin para sa mga bata na masyadong nalululong sa tablet, nalululong sa games. Kailangan nating ibalik yung appreciation sa cabinet books kasi 'yung iba mas gusto nalang 'yung binabasa sa tablet or sa computer (The mobile library will be our answer to the children who are addicted to just using their tablets and gaming. We need to return to them their appreciation for cabinet books because some kids prefer to just read on their tablets and computers)," she added.

The mayor noted that since Makati is small, the city government cannot build libraries in each barangay, hence, their decision to create the mobile learning hub project to make it more mobile and accessible to the community.