Security Bank believes in the importance of social development. This is embodied by the Bank’s mission to enrich lives, empower businesses and build communities. Its corporate social responsibility arm, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI), stands as its primary instrument for helping build better communities.

Following through on its belief that a progressive nation is built on education, Security Bank Foundation Inc. (SBFI)’s flagship corporate social responsibility program (CSR) “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project” recently won a Gold Anvil Award for a Public Relations Program on a Sustained Basis.

Since its inception, SBFI has advocated for education as a long-term solution to poverty. “We believe that education is the greatest equalizer in life for it will give every person the opportunity

to succeed in life, no matter what his or her social and economic background may be,” said Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., chairman of SBFI.

The Classrooms Project stands out because of its holistic approach to uplifting the level of education in the country. It involves the participation of Security Bank employees, clients, the Department of Education, local government units, academic partners (Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle Philippines), and the beneficiary community. The program’s approach to education is highlighted by end to end initiatives – from the construction of classrooms benefitting the students and the communities to spearheading leadership development for school heads and facilitating technical training for teachers.

“Providing outstanding service is a combination of business excellence and focusing on enhancing the quality of people’s lives. These form the core of our BetterBanking promise. We serve our colleagues well, and manifest the same brand of customer-focus in our branches and in the communities we cater to. Our CSR efforts, bannered by The Classrooms Project, embody our willingness to serve with utmost malasakit (empathy),” said Sanjiv Vohra, Security Bank president & CEO.

Since 2011, the Foundation has already turned over 545 classrooms to 102 schools located in 55 cities and municipalities and provided conducive learning facilities to 100,000 Filipino students.

The Anvil Awards program is spearheaded by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines and recognizes public relations programs and tools that best represent exemplary performances in their respective fields. The Gold Anvil Award is bestowed upon public relations programs that are the epitome of execution excellence. Awardees are those that make significant positive impacts on the lives of target beneficiaries and society at large.

(in photo): SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr. (center), SBFI Trustee Melissa Aquino (2nd from right) and SBFI Program Manager Louie De Real (2nd from left) with Members of the 55th Anvil Awards Board of Jurors Marco Polo and Deivid Rioferio