CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO – Security Bank Corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI) took advantage of the absence of face-to-face classes during the pandemic to address classroom shortage in Camilmil Central School (CCS), Calapan City’s central elementary school. SBFI turned over a two-storey, four-classroom building on November 23, 2021.

According to Security Bank Foundation Chairman Rafael F. Simpao Jr., “Security Bank Foundation’s focus on education started in 2011 when we became aware of the shortage of classrooms in our public schools. In celebration of the Security Bank’s 60th anniversary in 2011, the Foundation launched the Build a School, Build a Nation Program with the initial target of building and donating 60 classrooms, over a period of five years, to public schools in communities where Security Bank has a presence.”

Camilmil Central School is located at the center of the city making it accessible to all students of Calapan.

The signage at Camilmil Central School’s Security Bank Foundation school building illustrates that quality education can be achieved through shared responsibility.

Department of Education Calapan City Schools Division Officer-in-Charge, Dr.  Laida Mascareñas, highlighted the role of multi-sectoral support in achieving a better normal for education. “The school building is an emblem that confirms that quality education can best be achieved through shared responsibility,” says Dr. Mascareñas. “The school building will motivate our teachers in equipping pupils with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to bring forth a better tomorrow.”

Security Bank Branch Banking Group Area Head for South Luzon, Jose Tolentino, highlighted the value of the Foundation’s sustained effort to build classrooms despite absence of face-to-face classes. “Better classrooms in anticipation of the coming better normalcy is part and parcel of our CSR that we extended in Calapan City. May this school building signal hope and renewed confidence as we slowly open our schools and our economy towards recovery,” said Tolentino.

By the end of the year 2021, Security Bank Foundation would have built 701 classrooms in 123 schools in 69 cities and municipalities, a fitting celebration of Security Bank’s 70th anniversary.

To know more about Security Bank Foundation and its CSR initiatives, you may visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SecurityBank.

Present during the turnover of two-storey, four-classroom school building donation to Calapan Central School were (left to right) Renevic Cabagyo (Security Bank Calapan Branch Business Manager), Jose Tolentino (Security Bank Branch Banking Group Area Head for South Luzon), Hon. Arnan Panaligan (Calapan City Mayor), Dr.  Laida Mascareñas (Department of Education Calapan City Schools Division Officer-in-Charge), and Maret Saballo (Camilmil Central School Officer-In-Charge)