"Classsroom Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad" (CGMA)

The "Classsroom Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad" (CGMA) is a joint project of the Philippine Departments of Education (DepEd), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Labor and Employment (DOLE), as well as the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCI). It is in support of the basic education agenda of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This project aims to build 2,000 classrooms in Philippine public schools, both in elementary and high school, primarily through the generosity of overseas Filipinos, including about 12,000 overseas Filipino community groups across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the United States.

Anyone could be a donor: overseas Filipino associations; foreign employers; local private companies; socio-civic organizations or individuals. A 49-square meter (7m x 7m) classroom costs US$4,000 or about PHp 220,000. The same standard classroom normally costs PHp 375,000 but because this project is fueled by the Filipino bayanihan spirit, an association of local private contractors and suppliers has been building classrooms at cost, for goodwill! The FFCCCI has been facilitating the engagement of qualified abd competent contractors to construct the classrooms according to the agreed standards and specifications of all parties.

As of February 2004, total pledges have been solicited to build 457 classrooms. As of July 2004, total donations have made possible the disbursement of funds for the construction of 138 classrooms in various parts of the country.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York has pinpointed the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as its beneficiary area. The region is poor. Delivery of basic social and education services have to be strengthened. After the Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog regions, the ARMM region ranks as the third highest in terms of classroom shortages. As of today, ARMM needs to construct about 1,388 classrooms, most of which will have at least 56 and more pupils.

Interested organizations and individuals may contact the Philippine Consulate General to make a pledge of donation, or directly execute a deed of donation and remit the amount to the Trust Acount at the Development Bank of the Philippines under account number 36002016, favor CGMA project. Otherwise, they may send check donations to the Philippine Consulate General for onward transmittal to Manila.

ARMM as a beneficiary region is encouraged but organizations are free to choose their beneficiary school/s from the Department of Education list which may be accessed through www.cgma.dole.gov.ph. Transparency is ensured through the publication, website posting and regular reporting of the Financial Statement which will be audited by the Central Bank of the Philippines.

The donor's name will be emblazoned in the classroom/building. The donor will receive a token/plaque of appreciation from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo or the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Education, Department of Foreign Affairs or Department of Education. There will also be media publicity on donor's generous contribution.

For more information, please visit www.cgma.dole.gov.ph or call the Philippine Consulate Gneeral at (212) 764-1330, care of Consul Millicent Cruz-Paredes or Deputy Consul General Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek.