MANILA, Philippines – March 21, 2025 – Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) and Ateneo de Manila University trained 28 public school principals on effective strategies for engaging community stakeholders. This initiative is part of the Year 3 Transforming the Community phase of the “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building” program.
Held from March 18-21, 2025 at Ateneo Professional Schools in Rockwell, Makati City, the in-person training guided participants in developing action plans to address school challenges through community engagement. Dr. Joseph Dela Cruz, a Lecturer for the Leadership and Management Development Program at Ateneo Center for Continuing Education, led a “human machine” activity for the principals. In this drama-based exercise, they worked together using movements and sounds to create a functioning “machine,” highlighting the importance of coordination and clear communication in aligning leaders and stakeholders toward shared goals.
Principals were also equipped with concrete strategies to identify and engage local stakeholders—such as local governments, parents, companies, and various civic organizations—who can help address school resource gaps or strengthen programs that improve student welfare and academic performance.
“Real transformation is not achieved in isolation. It is achieved by bringing together diverse groups to work together toward a common purpose.,” said Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., SBFI Chairman.
One of the key outcomes of the training program is to enhance principals’ leadership skills. Although the principals have not yet completed their three-year program, twelve have already received career promotions, demonstrating significant growth in their leadership abilities. The action plans they have implemented in Year 1 and 2 (2023 and 2024) gained recognition at multiple levels: one has been nominated for national recognition, two have gained regional nominations, and six have received acknowledgment at the division level.
Principals presented their proposed action plans for Year 3 to a panel. Ralph Marius Fermin from San Isidro Integrated School, Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija shared his plan to support students struggling to attend school due to lack of funds for food and transportation which leads to absenteeism. Fermin plans to engage barangay councils to lend their vehicles as shuttles for students or provide tricycle fare vouchers. He also aims to launch an “Adopt a Student, Feed a Future” campaign, inviting alumni and community residents to sponsor students’ food allowances (baon).
Blessed Del Rosario of Tondod High School, also in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, plans to launch a community-wide approach to student character building to address high guidance and misdemeanor cases, particularly vandalism and bullying. She intends to invite civil society organizations with expertise in ethics and behavior development to conduct reflection sessions with students as an alternative avenue for self-expression. Additionally, she plans to organize learning sessions to help students align their ethical compass.
Throughout School Year 2025-2026, principals in the Year 3 Transforming the Community phase will engage in online sessions to further refine their stakeholder engagement skills and guide the implementation of their community-driven action plans. Topics of online sessions include stakeholder meetings, developing stakeholders’ skills, project management with stakeholders, and creating engaging stakeholder reports. By the end of the school year, they will report on the impact of their initiatives, showcasing the transformative power of community collaboration in shaping school environments and students’ futures.
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