Pagsasarili Family Care Centers at Tarlac and Pampanga

MAY 15

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Operation Brotherhood Community Foundation (OBCF) in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) inaugurated two new Pagsasarili Family Care Centers at Barangay San Vicente, Bamban, Tarlac and Sitio Calapi, Barangay Marcos Village, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, last 17 April 2023.


These care centers, which will host the Pagsasarili Twin Project, are part of the long-term initiative conceived in 2019 when OBCF and CDC established a classroom within the Clark Free Zone (CFZ) for indigenous Aetas. The Pagsasarili Twin Project aims to enhance the literacy of the children, while training the adults to obtain the skills necessary for economic independence.

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The initial classroom setup from 2019 saw a decline in attendance because the learners had to travel from their homes through trails and lahar before they were transported to the CFZ. This was especially difficult during rainy season. As a solution, OBCF and CDC collaborated with Bloomberry Foundation to build five family care centers within Aeta communities to give greater access to this education and thus, ensure better attendance among the children.


The CDC also tapped into additional resources to collaborate in this project, such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Alternative Learning System (ALS). These agencies will provide extra assistance in skills development for the adults. The CDC also sought the help of the University of the Philippines (UP) Nursing Department to supplement the health education of the project’s curriculum. Lastly, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has committed to finance the CDC’s feeding program for five years, while some partner hotels in the CFZ will provide solar power for the new centers’ electricity needs.


These Pagsasarili Family Care Centers are the result of OBCF’s dedication and combined efforts toward bettering the lives of fellow indigenous people around the region.


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For more information on the ongoing projects of Operation Brotherhood, click here. Interested parties may also call the Foundation Office at (02) 8722-9720 to 27.