More than 7,000 public school students across Luzon and the Visayas received school kits this year under One Meralco Foundation’s (OMF) Balik Eskwela program, as the power distributor’s social arm and employee-volunteers expanded the reach of the initiative to 82 schools nationwide.

OMF said the 2025 rollout covered public schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Cebu, nearly doubling the number of beneficiaries compared with last year. The project was carried out with support from employees of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), its subsidiaries, and partner organizations.

Students—particularly those in Kindergarten and Grade 1—received customized school kits containing storybooks, alphabet flash cards, tracing workbooks, pencils, pencil cases, and crayons. Meralco employee-volunteers also conducted storytelling sessions during distributions to encourage early literacy and group learning.

For parents, the assistance helped ease back-to-school expenses. Eurilyn Ricote, whose child studies at Ciudad de Strike Integrated School in Bacoor, Cavite, said: “Mas matututo siyang magbasa, may bagong storybook na siya. Hindi na rin bibili ang mga magulang ng crayon at flashcards.”

Local officials also welcomed the initiative. Manila First District Representative Ernix Dionisio, speaking during the distribution at Rosauro Almario Elementary School, said: “Lubos po naming pinahahalagahan ang inyong patuloy na suporta sa sektor ng edukasyon, lalo na sa mga batang mag-aaral ng Lungsod ng Maynila. Ang inyong malasakit ay isang mahalagang ambag sa kanilang pagkatuto at paghubog ng kanilang kinabukasan.”

Beyond urban centers, the Balik Eskwela project reached geographically isolated communities, including schools in Libon, Albay, and the remote island of Caponayan in the Cuyo Islands, Palawan. In Albay, distributions were led by the Meralco Employees Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (MESALA) in partnership with Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc.

“The success of the Balik Eskwela project is fueled by the heartfelt dedication and generous bayanihan of our fellow employees who are the true force in ensuring these kits reach the most vulnerable young learners,” OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said. “As corporate citizens, this is one of our many ways in investing in the next generation and helping their parents provide for fundamental tools so that they concentrate well on learning.”

Employee-volunteer Aaron Sandoval, who has participated in similar initiatives since 2020, said: “I feel glad and motivated to keep supporting these initiatives, knowing that every contribution, no matter how big or small, creates real change and truly reaches those in need.”

Balik Eskwela 2025 was supported by donors from across the Meralco group and the energy sector, including Meralco PowerGen (MGEN), MPower, Vantage Energy, and Clark Electric Distribution Corporation, among others. The initiative also benefited from a partnership with the National Book Store Foundation, Inc., which helped supply the school kits.

Since its launch in 2014, the Balik Eskwela program has raised more than PHP 20 million from employee donations and has supported over 50,000 students and 6,000 teachers in more than 700 schools nationwide, aligning with the Department of Education’s push for equitable access to basic education.

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