THE Philippines’s Honorary Consul to the Republic of Fiji Jesus M. Pineda Jr. was elected as president of the Rotary Club of Manila on May 30, as he took over the post previously held by Jimmie Policarpio.
Pineda’s advocacy is to assist financially challenged but intellectually gifted graduating college students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).
His brainchild, the Rotary Club of Manila Educational Assistance Program (REAP), formerly chaired by the late Congressman Roilo Golez and cochaired by Rotarian Rome Nones, will benefit 100 students. The two universities will get an equal share for 50 students for them to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Each student will receive P2,000 per month for one year.
The consul signed two memoranda of agreement with PLM President Dr. Leonora Vasquez-de Jesus at the Manila City Hall witnessed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and with PUP President Dr. Emmanuel de Guzman at the school’s Santa Mesa, Manila, office with other university officials in attendance.