Now the principal of Bulakanon National High School in Makilala, Zaldy Bornea first got involved with MAFI in 1999.
MAFI helped organize the MAFI-Assisted Secondary Schools Association (MAFI-ASSA), a group of school administrators led then by Zaldy, which was tapped for the implementation of its High School Financial Assistance Project.
MAFI then provided financial support to all high schools in Kidapawan, Magpet, and Makilala, which was used by school administrators for important educational expenses. Additionally, it facilitated the acquisition of various educational equipment for MAFI-ASSA member schools, and assisted in their lakbay aral activities.
Moreover, both MAFI and MAFI-ASSA collaborated in books distribution in North Cotabato and Davao Del Sur, and in conducting tree-planting activities, clean-up drive, and other environmental conservation projects.
Zaldy enthusiastically participated in the Ma-ag Tinikaran Project which involved planting of thousands of Tinikaran seedlings near the peak of Mt. Apo.
He emphasized that MAFI fostered a culture of good governance and honest-to-goodness public service, as well as encouraged stakeholders’ consultation, transparency, effective management, and efficient use of MAFI-ASSA’s resources. It also played a crucial role in helping MAFI-ASSA lobby for resources with various agencies, including local government units.
“My past involvement in MAFI’s programs has changed my standpoint and transformed me into an ardent advocate for environmental conservation. I have ‘opened’ several high schools in Mt. Apo area, and in each school, I carried on with my personal advocacy for the environment. Currently, I continue the nursery propagation and tree-planting activities, including along riverbanks,” Zaldy said, adding that his community immersion and environmental work have made him develop a hobby in wildlife conservation, birding, and photography.
“MAFI taught me the value of real public service, community work, and organizational management. In the case of MAFI-ASSA, it taught us effective leadership and cooperation,” he conveyed.
“I hope that with MAFI’s support, MAFI-ASSA will be revived and capacitated. MAFI can serve as a training institution on environmental conservation particularly in the context of Mt. Apo,” he concluded.
Zaldy I. Bornea
Partner/DepEd
