Lighting the way to learning with Balik Eskwela project
More than 7,000 public school students received school kits from employees of Meralco and its subsidiaries, and One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the corporate social responsibility arm of the Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), as part of its commitment to equipping students for learning. The Balik Eskwela project reached 82 public schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Quezon, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Albay and Cebu.
Each student—particularly those from Kindergarten and Grade 1—received a customized school kit, complete with a story book, a set of alphabet flash cards, tracing workbook, a pencil case with pencils, and a box of crayons. These tools, vital for those starting to read and write, are crucial in developing their skills, laying a solid foundation in their early childhood education. Meralco employees who volunteered in the selection of schools and the distribution of the kits also held interactive storytelling sessions with students, encouraging them to actively participate in group learning and develop their skills.
Eurilyn Ricote, one of the parents of student beneficiaries at Ciudad de Strike Integrated School in Bacoor, Cavite, said receiving a kit is a big help for students and parents alike. "Mas matututo siyang magbasa, may bagong storybook na siya. Hindi na rin bibili ang mga magulang ng crayon at flashcards."
In Rosauro Almario Elementary School where hundreds of students received Balik Eskwela kits, Cong. Ernix Dionisio 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."
Indang, Cavite Mayor Vergel Fidel, who joined OMF and Meralco in the distribution of Balik Eskwela kits in Dr. Alfredo Pio De Roda Elementary School, expressed his thanks for giving back to the school which honed his skills when he was still a child. "Ako po'y lubos na nagpapasalamat na napili n'yo po itong aming barangay."
The Balik Eskwela project was also brought to Albay, Bicol, where students at San Isidro Elementary School and Bulusan Elementary School in Libon were given school kits by the Meralco Employees Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (MESALA) in partnership with Alagang Kapatid Foundation, Inc. Meanwhile, hours away, in the remote island of Caponayan in Cuyo Islands in Palawan, the students of Mystical Garden Child Development Center also benefited from the project.
One Meralco for Balik Eskwela
The project was made possible by the employees of Meralco and its subsidiaries, who raised funds together to widen the reach of beneficiaries this year. In 2025, OMF and its partners almost doubled the beneficiaries of the back-to-school initiative in 2024.
For Meralco auditor Aaron Sandoval, it is heartwarming to volunteer and see the smiles on the faces of children who received the school kits. Since 2020, he has been actively volunteering for initiatives that bring relief and joy to underserved communities.
"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," he shared.
Balik Eskwela 2025 is powered by its many donors: Meralco Employees Fund for Charity, Inc (MEFCI), MPower, Vantage Energy, Meralco PowerGen (MGEN), Miescor Logistics Inc. (MLI), and Meralco Customer Retail Services stands as Champion Donors, while Clark Electric Distribution Corporation and Meralco Employees Savings and Loan Association Inc. (Mesala, Inc.) are Advocate Donors. Supporter Donors include Customer Frontline Solutions (CFS), Radius Telecoms, Inc., Meralco Energy, Inc. (MSERV), Bayad, MSpectrum, Meralco Cybersecurity, Meralco Finance, Meralco Internal Audit, Meralco Regulatory Management Office, Meralco Human Resources, Meralco Legal, Meralco Information, Communications, Technology and Transformation (ICTT), Meralco Networks including North System Analysis, Rizal Sector, Manila Sector, Pasig Sector, Valenzuela Sector, Balintawak Sector, Plaridel Sector, and San Pablo Sector, and the Meralco Corporate Security Management.
The success of the initiative is also a testament to the strong partnership between OMF and the National Book Store Foundation, Inc., whose donation allowed the Foundation to deliver the essential kits to young learners.
OMF President Jeffrey O. Tarayao said: "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. 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."
Since the project started in 2014, the program has raised over PhP20 million in funds donated by One Meralco employees and directly benefited more than 50,000 students and 6,000 teachers from more than 700 schools. The Balik Eskwela initiative directly supports the Department of Education's (DepEd) mandate to ensure quality and equitable access to basic education for all Filipino learners.