The Department of Education (DepEd) recognized Security Bank Corporation and Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) in a ceremony held at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong City. (Pictured left to right) Edel Carag, DepEd Director for External Partnerships Service, Louie Boy De Real, SBFI Program Manager, Melissa Aquino, SBFI Trustee and Corporate Secretary, Rafael Simpao, Jr., SBFI Chairman and Gerard Chan, DepEd Usec. for Legislative Affairs and Partnerships.
MANDALUYONG CITY, PHILIPPINES – Security Bank Corporation and its corporate social responsibility arm, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) were recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) for its programs and investments in advancing quality education in the Philippines through the Adopt-a-School Program. DepEd held its “Partners Appreciation Program” last December 13, 2022 at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, Mandaluyong City to recognize private and public partners who have provided assistance and services like classrooms, trainings, learning equipment, and resources for the benefit of public schools.
Organized by DepEd External Partnerships Service (EPS) and Schools Division Office (SDO) of Mandaluyong City, other attendees include Vice President and DepEd Secretary, Sara Duterte, DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs and Partnerships Atty. Gerard L. Chan, and Mandaluyong City Mayor Hon. Benjamin Abalos.
In her keynote address during the event, Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte expressed her gratitude to the strong support of partners in the DepEd programs and hoped that they will continue supporting DepEd in advancing quality education for all. “I welcome you all to explore partnerships with the Department of Education. Together, let us rebuild a stronger, resilient, and adaptable basic education system in the Philippines,” said Vice President Sara Duterte.
Security Bank Foundation’s advocacy in education began in 2011, through its flagship program, Build A School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project, a holistic education program where SBFI provides safe, conducive and structurally sound learning spaces for public schools in need and complements these with training for principals and teachers. SBFI also repairs previously donated classrooms to ensure continuous usability and conduciveness for learning.
“We focused our advocacy on education because we believe that education is the greatest equalizer in life—it will give every person the opportunity to succeed in life, no matter what his or her social and economic background may be,” explains Chairman Simpao.
Security Bank Foundation has funded the construction of 715 classrooms—of which 663 have already been turned over—benefitting over 183,000 students across 118 schools in 64 cities and municipalities nationwide. Its training program has also enriched over 36,000 teachers and 94 principals through both in-person and online delivery modes. With almost 200 million pesos in contribution to Adopt a School in 2021, Security Bank and SBFI are significant partners of DepEd in its pursuit to a stronger educational system in the Philippines.
SBFI welcomes opportunities for other companies and organizations to co-sponsor the cost of school buildings for donation to select public schools. To learn more and partner, visit https://bit.ly/SupportSBFIClassrooms.