TAGUM CITY (June 11) — What began as a simple effort to help struggling families during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a culture of generosity that continues to benefit schoolchildren and communities in Davao del Norte.
At Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School, Project PAMANA (Promoting All Moral Attributes through Normalizing Assistance-Giving) has become a symbol of community support, providing free pre-loved uniforms, shoes, bags, notebooks, and other school supplies to learners from low-income households.
School principal Dr. Sheila Grace Barbaso said the project was launched in 2021, at the height of the pandemic, when many parents lost jobs or sources of income and found it difficult to provide their children with basic school needs. The initiative was designed not only to assist families but also to encourage a culture of caring, sharing, and giving among pupils, parents, teachers, alumni, and other stakeholders.
Now on its fifth year, the project has become a regular part of school opening activities, with donations coming from former students, private individuals, local organizations, and families whose children have outgrown their uniforms and school supplies.
Speaking during a recent Kapihan sa DavNor forum, Barbaso said Project PAMANA has helped ensure that children return to school with the essentials they need, reducing the financial burden on parents and helping prevent absenteeism among learners from disadvantaged families.
The initiative’s impact has extended beyond Magugpo Pilot Central Elementary School.
Senior Education Program Specialist Dr. Norhan C. Jalmaani of the Department of Education-Davao del Norte Schools Division said several schools in the province have adopted similar donation drives inspired by the PAMANA concept. In some communities, donations now include clothing and household items that are distributed to families in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs).
According to Jalmaani, the growing support reflects how Brigada Eskwela has evolved from a school clean-up and repair campaign into a broader movement that mobilizes communities to address the needs of learners.
“People can support schools not only through labor and maintenance activities but also by donating books, learning materials, uniforms, and other resources that help children continue their education,” he said.
For many families, the benefits go beyond savings on school expenses. The project has strengthened partnerships among schools, parents, local government units, alumni, and civic groups, creating a network of support that helps vulnerable learners stay in school.
As another school year begins, Project PAMANA continues to prove that one family’s hand-me-down can become another child’s opportunity—turning generosity into a lasting legacy for the community.
