House Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed the Department of Education’s (DepEd) partnership with HOPE and other private companies to address the country’s massive classroom backlog, calling it a landmark collaboration that advances President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a whole-of-nation approach to transform the education sector.
DepEd’s Generation HOPE program mobilizes the resources of HOPE and partner companies—such as SM, Penshoppe, Grab, Aivee, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, and Banco de Oro—to construct new classrooms nationwide under a public-private partnership scheme.
“This project is not just about building classrooms, but also giving hope to every Filipino child. Through government and private sector partnerships, we are able to provide a safer, better and more conducive environment for their education,” Romualdez said on Thursday, August 28.
Established in 2012 by Nanette Medved-Po, the HOPE group—composed of Generation HOPE, Inc. and Friends of HOPE—channels 100 percent of profits from its flagship products, such as Hope in a Bottle and Hope in a Box, into classrooms and other social projects.
To date, the company has built 144 classrooms, benefitting 52,000 learners nationwide. Each classroom measures 7 by 9 meters, is designed to withstand strong typhoons, and comes fully equipped with a chalkboard, a teacher’s desk, fans, a restroom, and ample ventilation.
Romualdez emphasized that the collaboration underscores the private sector’s readiness to support President Marcos’ commitment to bridging education gaps.
