Security Bank Foundation, Inc. restored the two school buildings it donated at San Jose Central School (SJCS) located in Tacloban, Leyte from the damages brought by 2019 typhoon and earthquakes. The buildings in SJCS were constructed way back in 2015 as a response to the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
TACLOBAN, LEYTE – Six years after turning over two school buildings in San Jose Central School, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) returned to Tacloban to repair the donated classrooms that were heavily devastated by the 2019 earthquakes and Typhoon Ursula.
The two school buildings, which host a total of fourteen classrooms, were donated by SBFI as part of its rehabilitation efforts after Typhoon Yolanda struck Tacloban City in 2015.
Remaining committed to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Adopt-a-School Program, SBFI recognized that there is a need to go beyond a one-time donation and assist SJCS in times of need. In this case, the assistance came in the form of a major school building repair post-disaster so the structures remain conducive for learning as well as benefit more students especially when face-to-face classes gradually resume.
“Commitment in ensuring that the buildings remain safe and beautiful to behold despite the pandemic situation, while there are no face-to-face classes, the school buildings serve as working spaces for teachers doing their best for children to continue to learn through distance learning delivery,” says SJCS Principal Dr. Greg Galos who expressed his appreciation to SBFI for repairing the donated buildings.
The repairs involved replacement and re-sealing of damaged roofing sheets and ceilings, masonry works for post-earthquake cracks, as well as repainting and restoration of the rusted steel, termite-infested wooden joineries, and troubleshooting for wiring and plumbing systems.
Security Bank Tacloban-Vetaranos Branch Business Manager Nilo Lee personally monitored the progress of the repairs on the Foundation team’s behalf. “It’s important to sustain partnerships where legacies continue to be developed, even during a pandemic. Adopting a school means that we are there for them, come hell or high water.”
As a standard, SBFI evaluates its donated school buildings every five years to assess structural integrity and conduciveness for learning. Those that are heavily damaged by disaster, such as earthquakes and typhoons, are prioritized for repair to ensure continuity of classes and the safety of students.
Launched in 2011, SBFI’s Build a School, Build a Nation Program helps provide Filipinos with opportunities to develop through education. By December 2021, SBFI would have donated 701 classrooms in 124 schools located in 69 cities/municipalities nationwide. The foundation remains committed to constructing new classrooms for public schools especially in communities where Security Bank operates.
For more information on Security Bank Foundation and how you can help, you may visit www.securitybank.com/sustainability or Security Bank’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SecurityBank.