By Matt Elmar Z. Abad, BSCE 2
Unforgettable memories were made during Project SIGLA: Suporta sa Isip, Gawa, at Lapis ng mga Anak, as engineering students from Central Philippine University brought learning, care, and community service to the children of Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City. Joined by their dedicated daycare teachers, the young learners engaged in fun tutorial sessions, received school supplies, and took part in meaningful environmental activities.
Project SIGLA: Suporta sa Isip, Gawa, at Lapis ng mga Anak, a community outreach initiative led by the Engineering Student Council – College of Engineering, was conducted on May 29–30, 2025, in the humble community of Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo. True to its name, which translates to “Support for the Mind, Actions, and Pencils of Children,” the project was born out of a sincere desire to extend academic support, environmental consciousness, and tangible learning resources to young learners. It sought to empower elementary students by fostering foundational skills in education, encouraging environmental responsibility, and equipping them with essential tools for learning. Through the collective effort of student volunteers from diverse engineering programs, the project embodied the spirit of service, compassion, and community solidarity.
The project was anchored on four key objectives: academic enhancement, environmental awareness, distribution of school supplies, and a strong feedback and evaluation mechanism to ensure meaningful engagement. By aiming to empower children through foundational academic skills and instilling early awareness of environmental responsibility, the initiative took a holistic approach. It not only sought to strengthen minds but also aimed to mold young hearts to become active, informed members of their community. It also emphasized the importance of access to basic educational materials, a challenge often faced by children in underprivileged communities.
A milestone moment in Project SIGLA: The formal turnover of drums for the community’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) to Barangay Captain Junalyn J. Provido, symbolizing a strong commitment to improved environmental management in Brgy. Bito-on.
Day one of Project SIGLA opened with an emotional welcome, as volunteers were greeted with beaming smiles and open arms from the children, ranging from preschool to kindergarten. The morning commenced with a community clean-up drive, a physical and symbolic act of renewal and care. Volunteers and young learners joined forces in picking up trash, sweeping the surroundings, and beautifying the area around their school. This activity was not merely about cleanliness; it was about instilling pride in one’s community and recognizing the power of collective action. It also set the tone for the day, establishing that education is not limited to books and numbers, but extends to how we treat our surroundings.
After the clean-up, an opening program was held where the children and community members were formally welcomed. The event acknowledged the presence of the volunteers and introduced the schedule of activities. Shortly after, the academic sessions began. With a focus on strengthening basic mathematical operations, student volunteers guided the young learners through a series of interactive exercises. Numbers, counting, simple addition and subtraction—these concepts were explored in fun and engaging ways. The children were eager to learn, and the volunteers patiently adapted their teaching styles to accommodate different learning paces. The sessions reflected the passion and sincerity of the volunteers, who not only served as tutors but also as role models.
Following the academic session was an environmental awareness talk delivered by Naomi Heart Vecino, a BS Environmental Management 4 student. She discussed the importance of waste segregation, the impact of waste on the planet, and how children can help preserve the environment through small daily actions. This wasn’t just a lecture, it was a hands-on seminar with sorting activities that allowed children to classify materials and practice segregation in real-time. The interactive format made the lesson memorable and helped translate abstract environmental issues into tangible lessons.
Lunch was then served, creating a shared moment of bonding between volunteers and students. In this simple meal, stories were exchanged, and a sense of family blossomed. For many children, the lunch break was as valuable as the lessons. It was a rare moment of being seen, heard, and cared for by older brothers and sisters from the university.
Day two of Project SIGLA: Engineering students engage young learners in interactive reading and teaching sessions, nurturing their academic growth.
One of the most anticipated parts of the program was the distribution of school supplies. Each child received a school kit containing notebooks, pencils, erasers, story books, papers, and crayons. The look of gratitude on the children’s faces was both heartwarming and humbling. It was a moment that underscored the importance of supporting education not just with time and effort, but with tangible resources. The school kits symbolized hope—a message that their education matters and that people are willing to invest in their dreams.
The day concluded with a brief closing program. Children, volunteers, and organizers gathered to reflect on the day’s experiences. Words of gratitude were exchanged, and group photos were taken, capturing memories that would last long after the event. For the volunteers, it was a powerful reminder of why they chose to serve. For the children, it was a celebration of new learnings and renewed motivation to pursue their education.
Day two carried forward the same energy and commitment. The day began with the arrival of the second wave of volunteers, who facilitated another academic enhancement session, this time focused on reading comprehension. Through storytelling, word recognition, and interactive reading exercises, the children were guided to develop and improve their literacy skills. Volunteers took turns reading stories, encouraging students to ask questions, interpret meanings, and share their thoughts. This session not only honed their reading abilities but also expanded their imagination and confidence in communication.
After the session, snacks were distributed to the children, maintaining the warm and nurturing environment that the project aimed to cultivate. Then came one of the more lasting contributions of the project, the formal turnover of drums for the community’s Materials Recovery Facility (MRF). These drums were handed over to Barangay Captain Junalyn J. Provido, marking a step forward in the barangay’s environmental management efforts. It was a gesture that extended the impact of the project beyond the classroom, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and long-term community development.
Behind the success of Project SIGLA was the unwavering commitment of its volunteers. Over thirty student volunteers from programs such as BS Civil Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, BS Chemical Engineering, BS Software Engineering, BS Electronics and Communications Engineering, BS Packaging Engineering, and BS Environmental Management contributed their time and skills. Their collective spirit turned vision into action, and their genuine compassion left a lasting imprint on the children and the community.
In the end, Project SIGLA was not just a program—it was a movement. A movement that uplifted young minds, brought environmental awareness to life, and reminded everyone that service is one of the most powerful tools for change. It showed that in just two days, with heart, collaboration, and purpose, lives can be touched, and futures can be inspired. The success of Project SIGLA stands as a testimony to what student leaders can accomplish when driven by empathy, grounded in purpose, and united in action.