Six major businesses groups recently formalized a partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) to support classroom-building efforts through “Bayanihang Pampaaralan” (BP). 

BP is an initiative of the 57-75 Movement pushing for the construction of 10,000 classrooms in two years. It aims to consolidate classroom building efforts and direct funds to the construction of classrooms in areas that need the most assistance. The project encourages both corporations and individuals to contribute through donations or the conduct of their own school building program following the standards set by DepEd. 

Signing memoranda of agreement with the Department of Education, on behalf of their respective companies, were Coca-Cola Philippines president Guillermo Aponte, Jollibee Foundation president Grace Tan-Caktiong, Petron Corporation assistant vice president Andrew S. Fortuno, Philam Life president Trevor Bull, PLDT head of community relations Evelyn Del Rosario, and SM Investments Corporation executive vice president Jose Sio. 

The total education investment to Bayanihang Pampaaralan for 2011 by the six aforementioned businesses amounts to PhP 95.83 M or 143 classrooms. Each company has committed the following:

1. Coca-Cola Philippines: 44 classrooms in 2 years, with a total amount of PhP 26 M
2. Jollibee Foods Corporation, Jollibee Franchises, and Jollibee Foundation: 40 classrooms nationwide over 2 years, with a total amount of PhP 20 M. First 11 classrooms already under construction in Angeles City, Bago City, Mandaue City, Leyte, Davao City and General Santos City for turn-over at the start of SY 2011-12 in June.
3. Petron Corporation and Petron Foundation: 13 Petron Schools equivalent to 24 classrooms, with a total amount of PhP 14.75 M; project sites will be in Bohol, General Santos, Zamboanga del Norte, Sulu, Basilan
4. Philam Life and Philam Foundation: 8 classrooms in 2 towns in Isabela, with a total amount of PhP 10 M
5. SM: 15 schools at 36 classrooms, with a total amount of PhP 23.6 M
6. PLDT: 2 classrooms in Catarman, with a total amount of PhP 1.48 M

A memorandum of understanding was also signed to signify the partnership between the 57-57 Movement and DepEd. Representing the 57-75 were League of Corporate Foundations chairman Edgardo Amistad, Philippine Business for Social Progress chief executive adviser Klaas Oreel, and Philippine Business for Education associate director Wadel Cabrera III. 

The 57-75 Movement is a consortium of private sector institutions aiming to reverse the education crisis through focused interventions and school-community actions. It is made up of Ateneo Center for Educational Development, Eugenia Apostol Foundation (formerly Foundation for Worldwide People Power), League of Corporate Foundations (LCF), Synergeia Foundation, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).