Security Bank Foundation, Inc.’s (SBFI) “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project” has now reached fifty (50) beneficiary cities/municipalities across the Philippines, following the turnover of twelve (12) classrooms in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur last November 6, 2019.
The classrooms will benefit Ayusan-Paoa Elementary School, Ilocos Sur National High School and Vigan Central School, each receiving two-storey, four-classroom school buildings.
In support of Vigan City’s advocacy of preserving its unique Hispanic culture, Security Bank turned over its first heritage-designed classrooms. The classrooms feature arc design moldings, decorative accent of columns, balusters and use of quatro aguas roofing similar to Vigan’s Spanish ancestral houses.
The “Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project” was launched by Security Bank Foundation in 2011 as a response to the shortage of classrooms in public schools.
“Security Bank Foundation had an initial target of building and donating 60 classrooms to selected public schools in communities where Security Bank has a presence. We envisioned doing this over a period of five years or at the rate of 12 classrooms per year. We never envisioned that we will exceed our original target. With the turnover of classrooms in Vigan, Security Bank Foundation has already completed and formally turned over 483 classrooms that have benefitted 93 schools in 50 cities and municipalities. This equates to eight times our original plan,” said Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., SBFI chairman.
Community stakeholders acknowledged the value of Security Bank Foundation’s The Classrooms Project and highlighted their role in sustaining its impact. “The program created innovative education facilities in the community, [allowing] our students to fulfill their potentials and then later on create a positive and lasting impact in our society,” shared Hon. Juan Carlo Medina, mayor of Vigan City.
Schools Division Superintendent of Vigan City Gemma Tacuycuy also added, “We are very lucky indeed because Security Bank Foundation is here with us—helping us, supporting us, all throughout the way. Sa atin pong mga teachers and students, alagaan po natin itong mga school buildings. Panatilihin po natin na ang mga school buildings ay maayos at maganda.”
The principals of the beneficiary schools in Vigan City committed to do their share in maximizing the project’s impact. “We assure you that with all our capacity, the building will be utilized properly and will be maintained so that it will be used longer and will serve future learners,” said Dina Rivad, Ayusan-Paoa Elementary school principal. Editha Bagcal, Vigan Central school principal, also added, “We shall repay Security Bank Foundation by doing our best in providing quality education and ensuring better academic performance of our learners.”
“Teachers and students are expected to be more enthusiastic to engage in the teaching and learning process. Students’ participation in the different school activities will also be heightened,” emphasized Dr. Romulo Quitevis, Ilocos Sur National High school principal.
Aside from addressing classrooms gaps, The Classrooms Project also aims to improve the quality of instruction by providing training and development opportunities for teachers and school heads of beneficiary schools.
Security Bank Foundation will continue to reach more areas in the Philippines and partner with community stakeholders in bringing conducive learning facilities to public school students, committing to its advocacy of education for the Filipino youth.
62 more classrooms in North and Central Luzon are expected to be turned over by the end of this year, and another 108 classrooms are lined up for construction in 2020.
To know more about the Security Bank Foundation, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.