Rotarians to boost ‘Books Across the Seas’ in Mindanao

THE CIRCUIT

BATS has been a flagship project of the Rotary Club of Makati since 1988; over the years, it has impacted schools especially in remote and/or disaster areas, with some 16 million books distributed nationwide over three decades

Rotarians to boost ‘Books Across the Seas’ in Mindanao — ‘BOOKS Across the Seas’ moa signing by (from left) Rose Leong of Rex Bookstore, Rotary Club of Makati chief of staff Ron Dotaro, Rotarian Derrick Tan, Rotary Club of Davao president May Divino, RCD VP Filipina Liban and Secretary Zarah Joan Gallardo. The agreement forges BATs distribution partnership between RC Makati, RC Davao and RC Cagayan de Oro.

In a bid to expand and fortify its longstanding commitment to education, the Rotary Club of Makati has joined forces with Rotary Club Davao and Rotary Club Cagayan de Oro in a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the impact of the "Books Across the Seas" program in Mindanao.

The momentous collaboration was officially sealed on 17 November, 2023, at Kiel's Coffee in Davao City, as the three Rotary Clubs signed a memorandum of agreement solidifying the roles of RCD and RCCDO as distribution partners for the BATS initiative.

Representing RC Makati, Derrick Tan, accompanied by chief of staff Ron Dotaro, participated in the signing ceremony. RC Davao was represented by president May Divino, while president-nominee Leony Quicoy represented RC Cagayan de Oro. Also present at the event was Rose Leong from Rex Bookstore, a major partner for the BATS program.

Under the terms of the agreement, RCD will take charge of distributing books in Davao, General Santos and Cotabato areas, while RCCDO will oversee distribution in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon North and Lanao provinces. This collaboration aims to contribute to the enhancement of learning conditions in these areas.

The "Books Across the Seas" program, initiated by the Rotary Club of Makati in 1988, has been a flagship project for over three decades. With a track record of distributing more than 16 million books nationwide, the program has significantly impacted schools, particularly those in remote regions and areas affected by natural disasters.

The initiative extends beyond the provision of textbooks, fostering a love for reading among students and cultivating a culture of literacy within schools. Additionally, it empowers teachers with valuable instructional resources and enhances the management skills of school administrators.

To request books for adoption by your school or institution, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Rotary Club of Makati via email at rcm3830@gmail.com or access the online request form at https://forms.gle/T8ceVyC8fjQqZCHK7. For inquiries related to RC Davao, please reach out to 0905 264 3511, and for RC Cagayan de Oro, please contact 0968 896 9688.