Cordillera Administrative Region– The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) here expresses thanks to individuals and organizations who have donated in the One Million Lapis Project of the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC). A total of 15,645 pencils have been donated through the Department.

The “One Million Lapis” project was launched by CWC in celebration of the National Children’s Month by virtue of RA 10661 (National Children’s Month Act). It also aims to promote the child’s right to education especially for children who lack the opportunity to pursue schooling and who lack necessary writing materials.  The campaign started April and ended October this year.

The campaign is also a part of the celebration of National Children’s Month with the theme: “Isulong: Kalidad ng Edukasyon Para sa Lahat ng Bata”.

DSWD CAR received 15, 645 pencils donated by different schools namely Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Montessori (2, 510 pencils), Saint Louis University (3,445), University of Baguio (2,892), and Pines City Colleges (2,900). Other donors include Drew Arellano Family (792), Purple Center (199), National Bureau of Investigation (429) and Philippine Information Agency (2, 478).

The pencils generated were turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) to be distributed to the 4th to 6th class municipalities-public elementary schools.

“We would like to express our gratitude to those who have shared their pencils. They did not only provide the children something to use. This might inspire our children to do better in school”, DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet P. Armas shared.

“Lapis” is a symbolic representation of the child’s needs to express one’s ideas and feelings, be empowered through learning, in recognition of the importance of writing skills and materials. #DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Mark Erik King D. Guanzon