More than 7,000 public school students received school kits from employees of Manuel V. Pangilinan-led Manila Electric Company (Meralco), its subsidiaries, and One Meralco Foundation (OMF) as part of the group’s commitment to empowering the education sector. This year, 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 — especially those in Kindergarten and Grade 1 — received a customized school kit that included a storybook, alphabet flash cards, a 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 selecting the schools and distributing the kits also led interactive storytelling sessions, encouraging students to actively participate in group learning and build their skills.
Eurilyn Ricote, a parent of a student beneficiary at Ciudad de Strike Integrated School in Bacoor, Cavite, said the school kit is a big help to both students and parents. "Mas matututo siyang magbasa, may bagong storybook na siya. Hindi na rin bibili ang mga magulang ng crayon at flashcards."
Speaking for Rosauro Almario Elementary School where hundreds of students received Balik Eskwela kits, Manila First District Representative Ernix Dionisio said recognized the initiative, saying: "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 distributing Balik Eskwela kits at Dr. Alfredo Pio De Roda Elementary School, expressed gratitude for the chance to give back to the school that helped shape his skills as a child.
The Balik Eskwela project also reached Albay, Bicol, where students at San Isidro Elementary School and Bulusan Elementary School in Libon received school kits from the Meralco Employees Savings and Loan Association Inc. (MESALA), in partnership with the Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. Meanwhile, hours away, in the remote island of Caponayan in the Cuyo Islands in Palawan, the students of Mystical Garden Child Development Center also benefited from the project.
The success of Balik Eskwela 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 nearly doubled the number of beneficiaries of the back-to-school initiative compared to 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 was 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 stand 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 Pangilinan-led 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 of investing in the next generation and helping their parents provide for fundamental tools so that they concentrate well on learning."
Since its launch in 2014, the program has raised over P20 million from One Meralco employee donations, directly benefiting more than 50,000 students and 6,000 teachers across over 700 schools.
The Balik Eskwela initiative directly supports the Department of Education's mandate to ensure quality and equitable access to basic education for all Filipino learners.