AS part of the United States' ongoing commitment to strengthen early grade reading, the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), partnered with Smart Communications and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), turned over 100 school-in-a-bag (SIAB) kits worth over P10.4 million ($208,000) to the Department of Education (DepEd) on May 11.

USAid Philippines Acting Mission Director Brandon Miller, Smart Communications Senior Vice President Alex Caeg and Center Head/Assistant Vice President for Stakeholder Management Stephanie Orlino, and PBSP Executive Director Elvin Uy handed over the school-in-a-bag kits to DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio; Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, Project Management Services and Private Education Office Tonisito Umali; and Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua. Each kit contains a laptop computer, 10 tablets with additional expandable memory, and pocket Wi-Fi preloaded with P500 worth of internet access.