MANILA, Philippines?The Department of Education (DepEd) has signed an agreement with the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, which will collaborate with the ABS-CBN Foundation in producing new episodes of the series ?Mathtinik,? according to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.

He said the series, which aims to instill appreciation for Mathematics, would make math concepts easy to understand and entertaining for schoolchildren.

?We thank our partners in the private sector who recognize the value of education and give it the utmost priority,? Lapus said in a statement.

He said the DepEd would also seal an agreement with Lufthansa Technik Philippines and Tan Yan Kee Foundation to provide 2,000 armchairs to schoolchildren in selected divisions in the Ilocos region.

?This agreement speaks of their commitment to help the department deliver quality educational services which our school children rightfully deserve,? Lapus said.

Through the DepEd?s Adopt-A-School Program, companies and individuals from the private sector, nongovernmental, civic and church organizations could help public schools in various ways.

Donors could avail themselves of up to 150 percent tax incentives in recognition of their goodwill toward public schoolchildren, Lapus said.

?I urge the private sector to work with the department and help us respond to the challenge of providing quality education for all,? he added.

Lapus said more than 400 private sector donors have supported the Adopt-A-School Program since he relaunched it in 2006. In 2009 alone, the program generated P7.3 billion worth of pledges.