​Every day, millions of young Filipinos fight quiet battles just to survive. Among the many challenges confronting youth, SPECS Foundation focuses on two:Â
​Child Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation: Three out of five children experience violence at home, with the Philippine National Police documenting 17,600 cases of severe child abuse annually. This culture of aggression extends directly into our schools, where data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) consistently ranks the Philippines as the "bullying capital of the world," with up to 65% of students reporting regular victimization. The trauma of early violence at home and in the classroom leaves deep scars, and studies indicate that children who suffer from this continuous abuse are significantly less likely to remain in school by the age of 14. Â
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​High Drop-Out Rates: The educational path for many youth is cut short. For every ten Filipinos who enter basic education, only four will finish Grade 10. Among those who do make it to college, only 39% manage to graduate and earn their degrees. Despite free public education, rising indirect costs force many young people to drop out simply to help their families survive.
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The SPECS Response
​Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Ignorance
​​We protect , educate, and equip vulnerable youth through three key actions:​
Do
Last School year 2025-2026, we:Â
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Provided a safe and nurturing residential care services to 15 children.
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Helped 433Â young people remain in school;
15 finish college; 6 get their first employment.Â
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Partnered with ? barangays and built their capacities to make child-friendly communities.
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Worked with ? families to make their homes safe and nurturing.Â
Our Impact
MA. PAULA MARCELLE TENORIO
Bachelor of Public Administration
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
I became part of the SPECS Foundation Educational Sponsorship Program when I was in high school. At that time, my family faced financial difficulties as my parents were also supporting my older brother's college education. There were many occasions when our income was not enough to cover our family's daily needs and educational expenses.
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The challenges continued when I entered college. Although I studied at a public university, my father's income as a minimum-wage construction worker was often not enough to support my allowance, dormitory rent, and other school expenses. To help provide for my needs, I worked at a call center while continuing my studies.
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Through the Educational Sponsorship Program of SPECS Foundation, I received a monthly allowance and educational reimbursements that helped ease my financial burden and allowed me to focus on my studies. More importantly, SPECS nurtured my spiritual and personal growth through programs such as Youth Camps, Vacation Bible School, and Community Outreach activities, helping me grow in my faith, character, and relationships with others.
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SPECS Foundation has been a blessing in my life. It not only helped me complete my education but also strengthened my faith and inspired me to persevere through life's challenges. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the SPECS family and for the lasting impact it has made on my life.