“This donation is a testament to how collaboration can create meaningful and lasting change in the community. We are fortunate that Security Bank Foundation and Ideal Vision Center joined forces to help our students see better through the donation of eyeglasses,” shared Laguna Resettlement Community School (LRCS) Principal Rosalie Mabale.
On January 24, 2025, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) distributed pairs of eyeglasses to 148 pupils of LRCS in San Pedro, Laguna in partnership with Ideal Vision Center (IVC). Prior to the distribution of eyeglasses, a vision screening was conducted by IVC optometrists last October 18, which identified students with poor eyesight.
The beneficiary school has long believed in the power of community action. In fact, years before this donation, one of its teachers spearheaded “Sagip Mata, Sagip Kalikasan,” an initiative where plastic bottles were collected and sold to fund free eyeglasses for students in need. Parents, students, local businesses, and even the local government supported the project, highlighting the community’s shared commitment to student welfare.
Despite the success of the school’s initiative, the school recognized that its limited resources could only go so far, leaving many students with unaddressed vision problems. This is why the donation from SBFI and IVC is a significant help, not only for the pupils but also for teachers who often struggle to help students with poor eyesight keep up with their lessons.
Grade 3 teacher Juliet Varila shared that she had to transfer her pupil Janela to the front row because the child had difficulty reading from a distance and still struggled even at close range. “Before, Janela would squint her eyes just to read properly. But now, thanks to the eyeglasses provided, she can read much better, even on her own. This is a huge help not only for our students but also for us teachers,” Teacher Juliet expressed.
Grace Diego, a mother of a Grade 5 pupil and one of the eyeglasses recipients, also shared her gratitude for the donation. “Simula po ng pandemic, madalas sumakit ang ulo ng anak ko dahil sa matagal na paggamit ng gadgets para sa online class at laro. Hindi po namin siya napacheck-up sa mata dahil kapos kami sa pera—isa lang po ang nagtatrabaho at may apat pa kaming anak na nag-aaral. Kaya malaking tulong po ang salamin na ito para sa kanya.” said Grace.
This eyeglass donation project is part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to supporting students and teachers, ensuring that learning thrives in every possible way. Through this pilot run in six elementary schools across Batangas and Laguna, the project has already distributed 1,013 eyeglasses to students with eyesight problems. Through this partnership, new doors have been opened for improving learning and brightening the future of young learners, one pair of eyeglasses at a time.
“The difference we all make in the lives of our students – no matter how small it may seem – is vitally important. Let us therefore commit to improve the education in our country, even if we have to do it one child at a time,” said SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr.
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