Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) turns over a two-storey, 10-classroom school building equipped with a science laboratory to San Isidro Integrated School, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. The turnover highlights the program’s multi-sectoral implementation model with the attendance of (From left to right, starting 2nd): Security Bank Cabanatuan Branch Business Manager Jocelyn Diaz, Security Bank Cabanatuan-Maharlika Branch Business Manager Maureen Grace Carbonell-Banalagay, Security Bank Assistant Corporate Secretary Atty. Grace Ayson, SBFI Trustee and Corporate Secretary Melissa Aquino, Ateneo de Manila University Center for Educational Development Director Dr. Carmela Oracion, Ateneo de Manila University Former President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ, SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., Secretary to the Cabanatuan Mayor Julio Miguel Vergara, Department of Education Cabanatuan City Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Enrique Angeles Jr., and De La Salle Philippines Central House Administration Director Jose Ramelle Javier. In the center: San Isidro Integrated School Principal Melody Montevirgen and students.

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) caps its 30th anniversary in 2023 with impressive contributions to local communities:

• 139 school buildings with 771 classrooms donated to 79 cities and municipalities across the Philippines
• Recognition by the Department of Education (DepEd) as one of its biggest partners in the “Adopt a School” Program with over P1 billion in investments since 2011
• Enhancement of its core “Build a School, Build a Nation Program” with the introduction of a three-year development program for principals and teachers, with an international certification for principals under its “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building“ program

SBFI school buildings stand as prominent landmarks in local communities, easily visible both from the air (such as the one near the North Luzon Expressway in Meycauayan, Bulacan) and upon descent at the Mactan Cebu International Airport or the Dipolog Airport. They also line the national highways leading to Balanga (Bataan), Urdaneta (Pangasinan), Silay (Negros), Valencia (Bukidnon), and Butuan (Agusan del Norte).

These classrooms serve as evidence of the strong collaboration between the private sector and the government. “SBFI’s donation is a testament to its unyielding commitment to education, proving how private corporations can play a pivotal role in societal development. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for SBFI’s dedication to the betterment of Dipolognons, true to its commitment to building communities sustainably,” said Dipolog City Mayor, Hon. Darel Dexter T. Uy during the turnover of a two-storey, six-classroom building in his city.

Building the pillars of progress

In year 2023, SBFI turned over 108 classrooms to 17 schools in 12 Philippine cities namely, Naga (Camarines Sur), Santiago (Isabela), Digos (Davao del Sur), Laoag (Ilocos Norte), Lapu-Lapu (Cebu), Ozamiz (Misamis Occidental), Dipolog (Zamboanga del Norte), Butuan (Agusan del Norte), Surigao (Surigao del Norte), Iligan (Lanao del Norte), Valencia (Bukidnon) and Cabanatuan (Nueva Ecija).

Aerial shot of Barra Elementary School in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, a recipient of a two-storey, six-classroom SBFI school building that is visible upon descent in the nearby Dipolog Airport.

In total, the classroom construction program of SBFI has reached 20 provincial, city, and municipal national high schools and 18 central elementary schools. The Foundation has also donated eight two-storey, 10-classroom school buildings for public schools nationwide.

View from JC Aquino Avenue (connects Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Norte) of Ampayon Central Elementary School in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte where SBFI has donated a two-storey, eight-classroom school building.  

The Foundation goes beyond complying with DepEd standards for its donated school buildings by strengthening the structures’ disaster resilience with the use of reinforced roofing and steel beams, as well elevating by a meter height from the ground to safeguard against flooding.

The buildings are also friendly to students classified as persons with disabilities (PWDs) because it has dedicated restrooms and ramps. In addition, four buildings were designed to be learning facilities of special education (SPED) center schools. Select classrooms of two SBFI donated buildings were also converted as science laboratories.

Security Bank Foundation ensures that the classrooms are maintained by providing major repair programs done at least every time the classrooms turn 5 years. In 2023 alone, SBFI repaired 148 of previously donated classrooms. To date, SBFI has repaired 427 of previously donated classrooms including those that were damaged by recent major disasters such as Super Typhoon Odette, Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, Taal Volcanic Activity, and North Luzon/Mindanao earthquakes.

A holistic approach to improving education

Thirty principals from public schools nationwide, many from Security Bank Foundation, Inc. beneficiary schools, receive their International Certificate in Educational Studies in Leadership from the University of Nottingham (United Kingdom) and The HEAD Foundation (Singapore).

SBFI’s programs stand out with its holistic approach that goes beyond classroom construction. After providing schools with classrooms, the Foundation provides training programs for its teachers and school principals.

With the assistance of Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle Philippines, SBFI has trained 124 school principals and more than 36,000 teachers in the subjects of English, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies. This number includes the 60 teachers and 30 school principals admitted to the “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building”, a three-year training program launched in 2023 by the Foundation which focuses on model lesson planning for teachers and transformational action planning for school principals. The training for school principals includes the four-month international Certificate in Educational Studies in Leadership course implemented in partnership with The HEAD Foundation Singapore and the University of Nottingham United Kingdom.

“I am very thankful for the remarkable experience that Security Bank Foundation enabled us to experience. It is a gift to be able to receive training and certifications from prestigious institutions both local and international,” said Dr. Rico Paulo Tolentino, Masagana High School (Pandi, Bulacan) Principal and one of the 30 principals admitted to the Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation-Building three-year training program.

Ateneo Center for Educational Development Director Dr. Carmela Oracion welcoming Elementary English and Mathematics teachers from Visayas and Mindanao attending their first face-to-face training session under the “Mentoring Future Leaders for Nation Building” initiative.

Supporting SBFI’s goal of ensuring equitable access to quality education is its Scholars for Better Communities Program that provides educational financial assistance to underprivileged students with high potentials. Since 1993, SBFI has supported the education of more than 2,000 students across the country where 1,225 have already graduated. Thirteen graduated Magna Cum Laude and 31 graduated Cum Laude. Security Bank has also employed 10 of SBFI’s scholarship graduates.

SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao Jr. joins employees of Security Bank from Central Luzon in applying the first coat of painting on the two-storey, 10-classroom donation of SBFI to San Isidro Integrated School in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija

The SBFI also offers volunteering opportunities for Security Bank employees. From August to September 2023, SBFI conducted three school building painting activities in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte and Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, engaging a total of 180 employees.

Last September 30, 2023, SBFI was joined by 200 volunteer employees from Security Bank Metro Manila Offices and Branches in the second year of its five-year and 10,000-trees reforestation commitment to La Mesa Watershed Quezon City done in partnership with ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation.

The road to 1,000 classrooms nationwide
SBFI and Mitsubishi UFG Financial Group (MUFG) representatives pose with students and teachers of Pusok Elementary School in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu, beneficiary of SBFI two-storey, six-classroom school building donation. One of the classrooms was donated to commemorate the 70th anniversary of MUFG Branch in Manila.

Rooted in the belief of the impact of education and strategic partnerships, SBFI is poised to become the leader in advancing access to quality education among the private sector. It aims to donate over 1,000 classrooms by 2026 and to build a pool of trained teachers and principals who will become mentors in school transformation and innovative teaching pedagogy.

“Our vision is for education to become a transformative journey towards a future where opportunities are abundant and accessible to all; one that is brighter for the succeeding generations of Filipinos,” said SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr.

To learn more about Security Bank Foundation’s projects and how you can contribute, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.