Also present to witness the formal turnover of the school building were DepEd Region XI Director Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte, Security Bank Region 4 Head Jason Ang, Security Bank Mindanao I Area Head Decy N. Sarmiento, business managers from Security Bank Mindanao branches and the clients of Security Bank in Davao City. Representatives from the city government, the barangay and the DepEd division office also graced the event, together with the teachers, parents and students of DCNHS.
Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), the corporate social responsibility arm of Security Bank Corporation, formally turned over a two-storey, eight-classroom school building for the students of Davao City National High School (DCNHS) in Davao City.
The turnover ceremony was led by SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., SBFI Trustee/Corporate Secretary Melissa Aquino, Security Bank Branch Banking Group Head Leslie Y. Cham, Davao City Councilor Pilar C. Braga, Department of Education (DepEd) Education Program Supervisor Marcelo O. Roco and Public Schools District Supervisor Wenefredo O. Cagape who is also the Principal of DCNHS.
DCNHS is a top performing school in Davao City. Earlier this year, DCNHS students have brought honor to the country by winning the 2nd prize in the Plant Sciences category during the Intel-International Science and Engineering Fair, which was held in Los Angeles California. The said science fair is one of the largest and most prestigious high school science research competitions in the world. Their winning entry entitled “Insecticidal Activity of Acacia (Samanea Saman) Bark Extract Against Adult Rice Black Bug (Scotinophora sp.)” aims to provide a safer alternative for rice farmers in controlling the devastating effects of black bugs to rice crops. Aside from the cash prize ($1,500 USD) received from the organizers, three (3) asteroids will also be named after the young researchers from DCNHS namely: Rubeliene Chezka Gloria, Nadine Antonette Obafial and Myrelle Angela Colas.
SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao Jr said: “This partnership reaffirms SBC’s unwavering commitment to the learning and development of our children’s education because it is vital to the future prosperity of the country. We hope that through our Build A School, Build a Nation Project, we will be able to create conducive and innovative education facilities in grassroots areas which will allow our youth to fulfill their potential – which will then create a positive and lasting impact on our society.”
SBFI’s “Build A School, Build A Nation: The Classrooms Project,” is a partnership with the Department of Education, local government units and educational institutions such as Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle Philippines. The said social development project is SBFI’s response to the Philippine Government’s call for support in reducing the classroom shortage in the country.
From 13 classrooms benefitting 1,000 students in 2011, The Classrooms Project has, to date, provided 375 classrooms in 44 cities and municipalities nationwide, growing the number of beneficiaries to over 90,000 public school students since the project’s launch. Security Bank Foundation, Inc. fully commits to continue building more classrooms in the future for public schools nationwide – and create a brighter tomorrow for the next generation of Filipinos through education.