MANILA, Philippines – With all books collected for this year’s Donate-A-Book program now inventoried, SM Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with project partners SM Cares, DSWD, Bato Balani Foundation, National Book Development Board, Philippine Information Agency, Adarna House, and Children International Foundation Philippines has started distributing the books to public elementary and high schools, municipal and barangay libraries and day care centers.

The book donation campaign netted 197,515 assorted books, encyclopedias, research books, magazines and reading materials this year that were generously given by mall shoppers, tenants and publishing companies among them Abiva Publishing, Amos Publishing, Diwa Publishing, St. Mary’s Publishing, Vibal Publishing and WS Pacific, surpassing last year’s 172,400 books collected.

The sorting of books was made possible and easier with assistance extended by volunteers groups from the Samahang Pugad Lawin-University of Makati, Navotas Youth Volunteers, Aasenso Pinoy Volunteers, University of the East-Fine Arts, Caritas Novaliches and Manila, Quiapo Women’s Organization, Samahang Kababaihan ng Rizal and the Order of the Knights of Rizal.

A total of 179,942 books were distributed to 1,375 selected public schools, day care centers and six reading centers nationwide.

In January-May 2010, Nueva Ecija, La Trinidad, Benguet and Marilao Bulacan were recipients of 4,400 assorted elementary and high school books and encyclopedia.

In Real, Quezon all of the 19 elementary schools, and four high schools of the municipality received 2,865 pieces of brand new and slightly used books.

At the SM City Lucena, venue of the book distribution, 7,400 pieces of books were donated to the 43 elementary and five high schools Lucena City.

In the Bicol region, book distribution activities were held at the Event Center, SM City Naga where 5,250 books were given to eight public high schools and 29 elementary schools. Meanwhile, at the municipal gymnasium of Del Gallego, Camarines Sur, three high schools and 16 elementary schools were the beneficiaries of 2,635 books.

The distribution activity at SM Taytay benefited 158 public elementary and high schools in Taytay, Cainta, Antipolo, Angono and Binangonan. Assorted books and reading materials numbering 23,700 pieces were received by the respective school representatives, while 280 public elementary and high schools in Antipolo benefited during distribution activities held in SM Megamall.

In SM Cebu, 100 public elementary and high schools in Mandaue were beneficiaries of 19,025 assorted textbooks, reference books, encyclopedias, magazines and other reading materials, In SM Davao, distribution of 12,875 assorted textbooks, encyclopedias and teaching aids for teachers were earmarked for 100 public elementary, high school and day-care centers.

In Lipa, distribution of 7,965 books for public elementary and high schools plus encyclopedias were held at SM Lipa.

So far, seven schoolbuildings were inaugurated and in all these schools, a total of 5,000 assorted books, magazines and encyclopedia were distributed.

The remaining books in the Foundation’s warehouse will be given to schools and organizations upon their request.