More than 240 volunteers from TELUS Digital Philippines gathered at Mandurriao National High School in Iloilo City to refurbish classrooms and school facilities, benefiting more than 3,200 students and 160 teachers.
The activity on Sept. 12 was part of TELUS Days of Giving (TDOG) and in support of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela program. It saw team members from the company’s Strata and Pavia sites dedicating their time and effort.
The volunteers successfully repainted 15 classrooms, seven hallways, and five staircases, alongside restoring over 180 student chairs at the 52-year-old educational institution.
Beyond physical improvements, the initiative emphasized digital safety. Thirty high school students participated in a TELUS Wise® digital literacy session, learning crucial skills for safe online navigation and responsible social media use.
“For us in Iloilo, volunteerism is about truly being part of the community,” said Jonabee Catura, Senior Director and Iloilo Site Lead at TELUS Digital Philippines.
“Our team members live and work here, so being able to contribute to a school that serves thousands of students makes the impact feel very immediate and personal,” she further said.
The effort addresses a critical need in the Philippines, which currently faces an estimated shortage of 165,000 classrooms.
The Brigada Eskwela program aims to mitigate these challenges by uniting schools, communities, and private organizations to improve learning environments.
Rajiv M. Dhand, Senior Vice President of Global Customer Experience and Trust & Safety Operations at TELUS Digital, highlighted the importance of such initiatives.
“It’s our team stepping out from behind their desks to give something real: their time, their hands, their hearts,” he said.
“In Iloilo, that meant transforming the spaces where students learn, and helping young people build the skills and confidence to thrive in an increasingly digital world,” Dhand added.
Since 2021, TELUS Digital volunteers in Iloilo have contributed over 3,780 hours to Brigada Eskwela activities.
The company’s commitment extends further through the TELUS Digital Philippines Community Board, which has recently supported local organizations like the Walk and Work Foundation, Inc., the Center for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, and the University of San Agustin Research and Development Foundation Inc., earning recognition from the League of Corporate Foundations.
Through these sustained efforts, TELUS Digital Philippines continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering inclusive and thriving communities, turning volunteer hours into tangible, long-lasting support for Iloilo’s students and schools.IMT
