The Department of Education (DepEd), the national government agency responsible for regulating and managing the Philippine system of basic education, recognized Security Bank Corporation and Security Bank Foundation for their valuable contribution in promoting quality basic education through their programs that are focused on classroom building, teacher training and development, and scholarship grants to deserving students.
Security Bank has always been an active advocate for education as a long-term solution to poverty. Its major education program is the Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project, a multi-stakeholder initiative that helps the government meet the learning facilities demands of public schools through the building of classrooms. With the support of academe partners, Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle Philippines, Security Bank also works to improve the academic performance of public school students by conducting teachers training and development programs for teachers.
As of January 2019, Security Bank has already turned over 445 classrooms, benefitting 87 schools in 47 cities and municipalities nationwide. Security Bank has also trained 1,003 elementary and secondary teachers on teaching strategies and tools in Araling Panlipunan, English, Mathematics and Science. In 2018, Security Bank piloted its Leadership and Management Workshop for School Principals, which was participated by 94 school heads from beneficiary schools. Security Bank has also supported 327 scholars across all levels for SY 2018-2019, 61 of which have already graduated.
The DepEd recognition for Security Bank was awarded by the Secretary of Education, Leonor Magtolis Briones, and Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships and School Sports, Tonisito Umali during the DepEd Partners’ Appreciation Event at the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City. Security Bank Foundation Program Manager Louie De Real received the award on behalf of the Bank.
DepEd Secretary Briones expressed her deepest gratitude to partners such as Security Bank who help the agency narrow down the educational requirement gaps in public schools. “Education is everybody’s business. We (DepEd) have the largest budget but, still, it is not enough. The needs of education are ever changing… We would like to work with you (partners)… We cannot do it alone,” said Secretary Briones.