August 16, 2020 — The Department of Education (DepEd) received learning equipment donation from Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – MASHAV to help with the Department’s continuous efforts in coping up with the COVID-19 pandemic and in providing distance learning to Filipino students.

Chargé d’Affaires (CDA a.i.) Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov led the turnover ceremony of the learning equipment comprised of heavy-duty copiers, laptops, and office printers.

DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones witnessed the ceremony virtually while Usec. Revsee Escobedo from DepEd and Dean Jason Arriola from the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Middle East and African Affairs (DFA-OMMEA) graced the event with their presence.

“COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to our regular way of transmitting education which is largely face-to-face. Since we are determined to continue the process of learning amidst the pandemic, we have turned to blended learning without the face-to-face component,” Sec. Briones said.

“Thank you very much for these learning equipment that we could use for blended education. I have been thinking of how to select the lucky recipients of these gifts. We will prioritize those who need it the most,” she added.

Furthermore, DepEd Secretary Briones expressed her appreciation towards Israeli achievements in Science and education and her willingness to develop the bilateral cooperation in these areas.

“We are very happy to give assistance to Filipino students. We are aware of the challenges that DepEd is facing in terms of the blended learning approach due to COVID-19. That’s why we decided to give support to the Filipino youth, teachers, and the DepEd,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov said.

She added in Tagalog, “Sobrang masaya kaming tumulong sa mga mag-aaral sa Pilipinas. Sana magamit ito ng maayos at marami ang makinabang.”

During the event, CDA a.i. Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov, mentioned President Manuel Quezon who saved Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.

“Israel will forever be grateful to the Philippines for that. This is one of our humble ways to pay back,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov said.

The turnover ceremony took place at the Embassy of Israel in Manila on 13 August 2020.

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