Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) opened the year 2020 with the turnover of fourteen (14) new classrooms in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan on January 7, 2020. The facilities include a two-storey, eight-classroom building for Annafunan Elementary School and a two-storey, six-classroom building for Pallua Elementary School.
Through the “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project,” SBFI has been helping the government address classrooms shortage by constructing school buildings in areas where Security Bank has a presence. The program also aims to improve the quality of education through the provision of training opportunities for teachers and school heads.
Security Bank Foundation considers education as key to shaping the nation’s citizens as globally competitive individuals and productive members of society. To build a progressive Philippines, the Foundation believes that the strength of the country’s education must be built.
“The legacy that Security Bank wants to leave behind through our The Classrooms Project is the improvement of the learning conditions and academic performance in public schools all over the country. Through this initiative, Security Bank hopes to create a brighter tomorrow for the next generation of Filipinos through better education,” explained Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., chairman of Security Bank Foundation, Inc.
Hon. Jefferson Soriano, Mayor of Tuguegarao City, acknowledged the value of education in local and national development. “When our children become better students, they become better citizens. When we have better citizens, we will have better communities. Once we have better communities, we will have a better country – a better Philippines,” said Hon. Soriano. “We thank Security Bank for their support here in Tuguegarao City. People like them in the business sector help other businesses grow and help communities have better lives. Tuguegarao will become a much better community with Security Bank,” he added.
Pallua Elementary School Principal Emily Tango expressed her relief due to the turnover of new school building donated by Security Bank Foundation: “Prior to the construction of the Security Bank Foundation school building, our learners were housed in a condemnable building which could endanger the safety of our students in cases of disasters. Now, with this donation, our students enjoy a safe learning environment, one of the finest buildings in the city.”
Principal of Annafunan Elementary School, Dr. Elmer Narag, described the Security Bank Foundation school building as “W.O.W”. “W as wonderful, O as orderly and W as worthy. This new school building stands as a model structure reminding every learner in the community that they have the equal opportunity to attain quality education,” Dr. Narag highlighted.
The Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Tuguegarao City Division, Dr. Reynante Caliguiran, also expressed his gratitude to Security Bank Foundation for always standing behind the department in their quest in providing quality education. “We know that Security Bank Foundation will continuously support education and help the Department of Education achieve our goals for our students,” said Dr. Caliguiran.
Since 2011, Security Bank Foundation’s The Classrooms Project has turned over 523 classrooms benefitting 98 schools in 53 cities and municipalities nationwide. SBFI has also trained 1,387 teachers and 94 school principals in partnership with Ateneo De Manila University and De La Salle Philippines.
To know more about the Security Bank Foundation, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.