CitySavings and Private Companies Partner with DepEd for DPAP Launch

City Savings Bank (CitySavings), the thrift bank subsidiary of Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) and a proud member of the Aboitiz Group, once again signified its commitment to the Department of Education (DepEd) as one of its partners during the DepEd Partnership Assistance Portal (DPAP) launch last March 23. CitySavings is the only thrift bank invited to support this project that aims to elevate partnership management processes, reach out to more potential partners, and increase efficiency in bridging the gap between the resource needs of schools to available resources from public and private organizations.

The Metro Pacific Investments Group led the portal development and project management, backed by other sponsors from the private sector.

TEST RUN: (left to right) DepEd Assistant Secretary Atty. Christopher Lawrence Arnuco, Undersecretary Jose Arturo De Castro, Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, and representatives from the private sector are the first to try out the DepEd Partnership Assistance Portal (DPAP) during the turnover ceremony, held at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City. 

The online platform will easily connect potential partners who can help provide DepEd schools with the support they need. Its main features include E-appointments where partners can schedule in-person or virtual meetings with DepEd officials and representatives, a Menu of Investments so that DepEd schools can show their investment needs and partners can select DepEd beneficiaries and their intended contributions. The platform also has a Partnership Map to display locations of DepEd investment needs and the status of projects, Partnership Report Generation to help save partners’ time in creating project reports, and a Directory that provides contact information of partnership focal persons.

DepEd External Partnership Service Director Margarita Ballesteros (tenth from left) with representatives from other private sector partners and CitySavings representatives (from first to left) External Relations Head Atty. Roel Eric Garcia, Legal Head, Corporate Secretary, and Data Privacy Officer Atty. Ernesto Herrera III, Reputation and Brand Management Head Paula Ruelan together with Director Henry Aguda (seventh from left) check out the DepEd Partnership Assistance Portal (DPAP) at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City.

“We aim to reach more potential partners for collaboration to promote transparency and openness in terms of data so that we can work together for the welfare of the Filipino people”, says DepEd Director of Information and Communications Technology Services Ferdinand Pitagan.

DepEd External Partnership Services Director Margarita Ballesteros adds, “We hope to strengthen the engagements with you (our partners) through the DepEd Partnership Assistance Portal and be of service to you as we address the needs of our teachers and our learners together. Because in External Partnership (Service), we believe that if we work together, we can make a difference”.

The Bank congratulates DepEd on the launch of DPAP which will open more opportunities for partners to assist and collaborate with the government. 

CitySavings fully supports this innovative initiative and will continue to provide relevant education-focused corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects in line with DepEd’s Matatag agenda to resolve basic education challenges.