It is a distinct honor to be recognized as one of the Stakeholders and Partner Agencies of the Department of Education, Region VI-Western Visayas, Division of Aklan, at the Stakeholders’ Appreciation and Recognition of Schools 2023 held on October 30, 2024.

Since 2018, GFF HELPS Philippines has proudly served the Aklan community through impactful projects, programs, seminars, workshops, and other services that bring together time, dedication, compassion, and resources. This recognition by the Department of Education, Division of Aklan, is a testament to the meaningful work we have carried out with schools and villages under the GFF HELPS banner.

Banga Elementary School, as the central school in the town of Banga, offers both Special Education (SPED) classes for students with special needs and the Alternative Learning System (ALS) for out-of-school youth. As advocates of inclusive learning, we believe that collaborating with the school, particularly in these two programs, will greatly expand our reach and impact.

The Alternative Learning System (ALS) is a parallel education system designed to provide alternative pathways for learners who are unable to access formal education. Primarily aimed at out-of-school youth and adults, ALS serves those who have dropped out or never attended school due to various socioeconomic challenges. The program enables these individuals to complete their basic education, either at the elementary or secondary level, and equips them with skills for lifelong learning.

On the other hand, Special Education (SPED) classes cater to the unique needs of learners with disabilities, impairments, or exceptional abilities. The goal is to provide tailored educational opportunities that support their development in academic, social, and life skills, helping them reach their full potential.

Our visit to Banga Elementary School began at the Banga Community Learning Center, where ALS classes are held. We met with Ma’am Czarina Cezar Cipriano, the ALS class adviser, who shared valuable insights into recent changes in the system and the ongoing challenges in teaching her students. She expressed that our remedial English lessons would greatly benefit the learners, offering much-needed support.

Following this productive discussion, we proceeded to the classrooms where the SPED program is conducted. We had the opportunity to meet with several teachers, including Ma’am Carla Semitara, one of the SPED teachers. She shared that her students often require assistance with daily tasks and expressed an interest in organizing a Table Setting Workshop to help them develop important life skills. While we did not make any immediate commitments, we are in discussions for a potential collaboration to support this initiative.

Our initial visit to the school was insightful and provided a strong foundation for future partnerships, with a shared goal of promoting inclusive education and supporting learners in both the ALS and SPED programs.

We have visited schools and made data survey for partnership. As our schedule are getting tighter, we arranged alternate schedules for our long time school partners. We did not take out Sigcay Elementary School on our list because the grade level that joins our activities only have a smaller population. We continue conducting our Remedial Lessons and Sports Project for the students and receives positive feedback from their teacher, Mr, Ronnie Armenio.

Estancia Elementary School, our new partner, has been sending more than 15 students during weekly sessions. Usually, there are new students because some of the previous students were absent. We can’t maintain a steady number of students and have the same students in each session. We understand the situation and always make a review of the past lessons so new students can catch up. Our Remedial Lessons are anticipated by students every week and the teachers are very supportive.

During each school visit and activity, we consistently carry out our Health Project, which includes blood pressure and oxygen level check-ups. To maintain practicality, we conduct these assessments ourselves. Both teachers and parents are actively involved in the project, and we are always happy to provide this service and support their health needs.

On October 3, 2024, we successfully received our Accreditation Certificate from the Municipal Council of Kalibo. This marks a great start to the month, as we can now conduct legal business. With the website ready, we are planning a grand launch for the project. There is much to prepare, including the venue, food, technical setup, presentations, and more. During the event, we will proudly present the certificate to the attendees, especially to the members of the association.

On October 8, 2024, we successfully purchased the Theme for the website for $ 62.00 (Actual Amount $ 59.00 + Handling Fee $ 3.00) for 6 months only. Mr. Tashi sent us a link and assisted us through chat. After purchasing, we downloaded the Unzipped Theme file and Documentation as well as the License and Certificate Text and upload on tulaypinas Google Drive. Mr. Tashi said that he will start building the website and message us if he has questions. A website theme is important because it controls how the site looks and works. It helps create a consistent, attractive design, makes it easy for users to navigate, and ensures the site works well on all devices. It also improves visibility in search engines and allows for easy customization.

The product survey of farms continues as we collect detailed information about agricultural products, farming practices, and market conditions. We will maintain this effort even after the website is launched and the sustainable project is underway. This ongoing process is crucial for adding more products to our website and expanding partnerships with other entrepreneurs.

Recently, we visited De Jose’s Fishpond in Polocate, a village in the town of Banga. We met with the caretaker and the owner’s brother, Mr. Jose Salvador Jr. Some of the farm’s products include tilapia, eggs, coconut vinegar, and pineapples (though the pineapples have yet to bear fruit). Mr. Salvador shared that, in the past, tilapia was sold for ₱100.00 per kilo when customers would catch the fish themselves, but they no longer sell it. Nowadays, visitors—particularly friends and family—can still catch fish and take it home. The farm primarily serves as a place for relaxation and family events.

We planned another product survey to Ms. Roselle Opalyn’s House. She conducted the Crochet and Calligraphy workshop that we organized before and she’s not a stranger to our activities. She is a dialysis patient and her small handicraft business supports her medication and her family. Unfortunately, our scheduled visit was also her dialysis schedule. She suggested to do an online meeting instead. We meet through a Messenger video call. We talked about the reason why we do product survey and that we are interested to include her products in our website. She expressed her interest and sent us pictures of her products with descriptions and prices.

Mr. Tashi Bhutia, an Indian web developer, in collaboration with the Philippines team, recently conducted a Zoom meeting focused on website management and product uploading. The session was attended by teams from India, Nepal, and the Philippines. During the meeting, Mr. Tashi used the Philippines team’s website, tulaypinas.com, as a practical example to demonstrate key processes, such as how to place and process orders, as well as how to upload and organize products effectively. The hands-on training was highly productive, with all teams gaining a clear understanding of managing their respective websites. Mr. Tashi reassured the teams that he remains available to assist with any questions or technical issues in the future, ensuring ongoing support and smooth operations for all teams.

Registering an association with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in the Philippines is essential for legal compliance and to secure a Tax Identification Number (TIN). This allows the association to meet tax obligations, even if it qualifies for tax exemptions. Registration also legitimizes the association, enabling it to issue official receipts, handle donations, and enter into contracts with partners or government agencies. Additionally, it provides access to tax incentives and ensures transparency, while helping the association avoid legal penalties. The team started to process the registration of application and the registration for the book of accounts. The Bureau of Internal Revenue gave us a list of requirements to comply to proceed with the process.

A launching event is important for introducing a website because it creates excitement and draws attention to the new platform. It allows us to showcase the website’s features, purpose, and benefits to a targeted audience, including stakeholders, customers, and partners. The event will generate buzz, increase engagement, and provide opportunities for live demonstrations, feedback, and networking. By formally presenting the website, we can strengthen our credibility and make a lasting impression, boosting traffic and interest right from the start. The team is preparing throughout October for the grand launch of our website, starting by forming committees responsible for specific tasks.