SECURITY Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) recently turned over newly-built school buildings to two schools in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, in time for the start of the new school year.
Sta. Anastacia Elementary School (SAES) received a two-storey, six-classroom building, while Sto. Tomas North Central School (STNCS) received a two-storey, eight-classroom building.
In the past, SAES and STNCS had to offer shifting class schedules to address the issue on overcrowded classrooms. SBFI’s timely gift helped resolve the shortage of classrooms in both schools.
“Matatapos na po ang sacrifice ng aming mga estudyante. Maka-cut na po ang shifting classes dahil sa kakulangan ng mga classrooms,” said SAES principal Elena De Torres.
STNCS principal Analiza Montero likewise expressed her relief in receiving the additional classrooms, as it would provide additional space to the growing STNCS population. “Malaking tulong po ang eight-classroom donation ng Security Bank Foundation sa aming Grade 2 students na ang enrollment population ay patuloy na tumataas every year,” said Montero.
SBFI project partners included the municipal government of Sto. Tomas and the Department of Education (DepEd) Batangas Province Division. “Malaking tulong ang CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) ng pribadong sector sa pag-unlad ng isang bayan,” said Municipal Councilor Reynante Arcillas.
“Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project” is Security Bank Foundation’s way of helping address classroom shortage nationwide. SBFI has already turned over 469 classrooms to 91 schools in 49 cities and municipalities since 2011, which provided conducive learning facilities to over 98,000 Filipino students.
In his message to the Sto. Tomas community, SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao Jr. highlighted Security Bank’s holistic mission to empower, to enrich, and to build – not just in the private sector, but also with the public through corporate social responsibility. “We hope the legacy that Security Bank leaves behind through The Classrooms Project is the improvement of learning conditions and academic performance of public school students all over the country.”