City's public schools receive 15 new classrooms

FOUR schools in Davao City received new classroom buildings from Security Bank Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Security Bank Corporation on Friday.

Rafael Simpao Jr., chair of Security Bank Foundation, said each four-classroom, equipped with boys' and girls' toilets, has an estimated cost of P2.4 million.

A total of 15 new classrooms were donated to four public schools in the city as part of the Foundation's "Build a School, Build a Nation: The 60 Classrooms Project."

J.V. Ferriols Elementary School, Catalunan Peque'o Elementary School, and Crossing Bayabas National High School each received a four-classroom building while the Matina Central Elementary School received a three-classroom building.

"We focus on the activity that will enable the beneficiary to become productive citizens. So we focus on education para makatulong tayo," Simpao said.

As part of the 60th anniversary of Security Bank, he said, the 60 Classrooms Project of the Foundation was formally launched with the construction of 13 classrooms for public schools in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija in 2011, and the turnover of nine classrooms for three public schools in Naga City last July 2012.

The project is in partnership with Ateneo de Manila University over a period of three to five years.

Funds from Security Bank Foundation will be supported by Ateneo's design of academic programs that aims to improve the academic performance of students in public schools.

"Through this classroom, we will be able to improve the life of these students that will benefit in this classroom. Hopefully, because of this better education, they can be better persons when they grow up," Simpao said.