In November 2024, a fire destroyed homes and the small daycare center in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila. In the following months, local officials and donors came together to rebuild the educational facility for preschoolers.

Isla Puting Bato or Barangay 20 is just adjacent to the Manila International Container Terminal, operated by the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI). The cargohandling company and Solaire Resort, both belonging to the Razon Group, helped bring back education to the local children by donating school supplies.

A dozen employees of Solaire, led by its senior operations officer Stalin Basañez, volunteered in bringing and distributing the gifts at the basketball court in Purok 3 on 26 June.

Each of the total 180 children from the Manila Development Child Center of Purok 1 and Purok 3 received pencil, ruler, sharpener, eraser, crayons, water color, scissors, pad paper and plastic envelop, according to Basañez.

“I was filled with joy as I witnessed the sparkle in the eyes of both the children and their parents upon receiving the donations. As a father I resonate with the aspirations of the daycare parents. They yearn to provide their little ones with the finest experience especially in these formative preschool years. Sadly financial constraints have held them back from doing so. I therefore wish that our simple gesture brings HOPE to Isla Puting Bato,” Basañez said.

Meanwhile, a post by Barangay chief Anthony Igus on 8 July says one of the daycare center already being used by students after renovation and getting tables and chairs, an electric fan, a 32-inch Smart TV and Internet or WiFi.