In 2025, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) strengthened its mission to make education a powerful equalizer for Filipino youth amid an urgent national education crisis. With classroom shortages, disaster‑damaged facilities, nearly 11 million out‑of‑school youth, and low international rankings in literacy and numeracy, the Foundation’s holistic programs offered timely solutions – building schools, empowering teachers, supporting scholars, and mobilizing partners to ensure access to quality education. 

Through the Build a School, Build a Nation program, SBFI has now donated a total of 901 classrooms in 153 schools across 92 cities and municipalities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao—while also repairing previously donated classrooms to ensure these continue to serve future generations. Alongside infrastructure, the Foundation invested in educators and students, training nearly 170 principals and teachers under its 3-year Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building program, supporting over 300 scholars, and providing eyeglasses to more than 1,000 learners. 

SBFI demonstrated that education transformation also requires a multi‑sectoral approach. Its partnerships with universities, national and local governments, other corporations, and employees underscored the belief that collective action can change lives. As the SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr. reflected: “We recognize that the difference we all make in the lives of our students—no matter how small it may seem—is vitally important. We remain committed to improving the education of our Filipino youth, even if we have to do it one classroom or one child at a time.” 

Building Classrooms for Diverse Learning Needs 

In 2025, SBFI turned over 62 new classrooms, equivalent to 9 school buildings. Among the buildings donated by SBFI in 2025 were a facility at Sta. Cruz Central Elementary School in Laguna, serving as the province’s pilot site for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Inclusive Learning Resource Center for special education students; a building for Tarlac National High School’s (TNHS) Special Program in Sports; and a building at Zamboanga City High School Main equipped with technical‑vocational laboratories for Caregiving, Cookery, Drafting, and Dressmaking. These projects reflect SBFI’s commitment to diverse learning needs and pathways for Filipino youth. 

For TNHS, the building donation could not have come at a more crucial time. As one of the country’s oldest and largest public schools with over 10,000 students, TNHS has long struggled with overcrowding and limited space. Principal Yolanda “Yolly” Gonzales refuses to let these challenges define them. Under her leadership, TNHS has become a resilient, high‑performing, and inclusive community – where students excel in global competitions and education reaches out-of-school youth, young mothers, working adults, and even persons in correctional facilities. Her efforts were recently recognized globally when she was named Best Principal of the Year at the 26th World School Summit in London.  

Beyond new construction, SBFI ensures sustainability by undertaking major repairs of previously donated classrooms so these last at least 25 years. In 2025, the Foundation repaired 80 classrooms and restored 48 damaged by disasters or termite infestation. Since inception, 505 classrooms have undergone major repairs. 

Investing in Educators 

Recognizing that classrooms alone cannot guarantee quality education, SBFI partnered with Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle Philippines, The HEAD Foundation Singapore, and the University of Bristol to run the 3-year Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation‑Building program. In 2025, 79 principals and 88 teachers participated in the program which shaped them not just to be experts but mentors for peers and communities. Their participation adds to the more than 36,000 educators trained by SBFI since 2014, strengthening a nationwide network of teachers and leaders. 

One inspiring case is Carlo Medrano, a Science Master Teacher from Nueva Ecija, who developed MahuSciE—a mentoring plan that equips fellow teachers with globally benchmarked science assessment practices. His work led to PRC‑certified training programs and a functional science laboratory serving his school and neighboring communities. 

Supporting Scholars 

For the 2025–2026 school year, 302 scholars across various levels were supported by SBFI. The Foundation also helped graduate 103 scholars including 31 college degree holders—20 of whom earned Latin honors.  

Success stories include Jun Laingo, once a Security Bank guard now a banker; Nicole Pialago, who grew up without a permanent home and is now a Junior Accounting Analyst; and John Paul Omandac, a former branch custodian turned teller. More than 2,000 scholars have been supported by SBFI since 1993, opening doors to brighter futures. 

Addressing Learning Barriers 

Recognizing that poor eyesight hinders learning, SBFI partnered with Ideal Vision Center and the Rotary and Rotaract Club of San Francisco del Monte to provide free eyeglasses. In 2025, 1,170 students received eyeglasses, resulting in a 328% rise in independent readers, elimination of non‑readers, and a 63% drop in frustrated readers. One inspiring story is Jake Prades from Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Once reliant on broken glasses due to financial hardship, he now excels academically, graduating elementary school as Valedictorian. 

Strengthening Partnerships 

SBFI’s work was amplified by partners who believe in the power of learning to transform lives. FWD Life Insurance pledged support for 10 college scholars through 2028. The Jesus V. Del Rosario Foundation sponsored classrooms at Tarlac National High School in 2025 and Pangantucan Community High School in 2026. Signify Philippines, maker of Philips lights, committed lighting fixtures for 300 classrooms, beginning in 2026. Even Security Bank employees rallied behind the cause, raising funds for scholarships and classroom construction through expanded donation channels. 

The Foundation also strengthened collaboration with government institutions. A Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education was signed in 2025 granting nationwide recognition to SBFI’s training program, ensuring stronger support through participant endorsement, learning credits, and outcome monitoring. SBFI also served as a resource to the Senate Basic Education Committee, sharing expertise in classroom construction standards with inputs informing proposed legislation to accelerate classroom delivery through partnerships with LGUs and NGOs. 

Recognition and Future Plans 

The Foundation’s efforts earned honors at the 20th Philippine Quill and 60th Anvil Awards for Engagement, CSR, and Communication Management. Looking ahead to 2026, SBFI plans to build 60 new classrooms, repair 100 more, sustain educator training and scholarships, expand vision screening, and continue mobilizing partners to give Filipino learners safer schools, better equipped educators, and brighter opportunities. 

 

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