Metro Manila College – Community Extension Service (MMC-CES) under Mrs. Glenda Ortiz, Dean of MMC College of Education Dr. Dana Tebia, and GMEFI Program Coordinator Nina Padua, with some other staff of MMC visited and joined in the “Moving Up” ceremony of Dumagat learners based in a place called “Punduhan ng mga Dumagat” in Norzagaray, Bulacan. They are under the care of Bro. Martin Francisco who was also present during the event. He was the one who introduced the Dumagats of Norzagaray, Bulacan to GMEFI. The ceremony was held on March 20, 2018
As one of the ethnic minorities in the Philippines, Bro. Martin was earlier invited by GMEFI to introduce the Dumagats at “Punduhan” to some board members of GMEFI who wanted to know how the Foundation could be help to them. GMEFI hopes with the help of MMC to formally implement the Indigenous Peoples’ Education or IPed to the Dumagats. It is GMEFI’s dream that the MMC Founder’s mission to give education to the Dumagats be continued as he did in the 90s for the Dumagats in Ipo Dam when he was still alive.
Under the MMC-CES Basic Literary Program, Mrs. Glenda Ortiz teaches the Dumagat learners. A linkage between MMC-CES under GMEFI’s Special Scholarship Grants Program has been proposed as one of GMEFI’s goals is to help in uplifting the life of Indigenous Peoples through education.