Filipino-Chinese group donates school buildings

THE San Fernando Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (SFFCCII) donated three classroom buildings in San Fernando City and another in Bacolor town as part of their ongoing Barrio Schools program.

SFFCCII president Eddie Chua told Sun.Star Pampanga that they were able to inaugurate classroom buildings in Barangays Pulung Bulu, Baliti and Bulaon and in Barangay Maliwalu in Bacolor town.

The newly-constructed buildings were made possible through the "Barrio Schools" program.

"The 'Barrio Schools' project is the longest running and biggest private sector-led development program focused on educational infrastructure in the country. Since the project started in the 1960s, almost 8,000 classroom buildings have been constructed all over the country," Santiago said.

The school buildings are constructed out of donations from the officers and members of the Federation and from benevolent organizations, families and individuals within the Filipino-Chinese communities, Santiago said.

The group was able to build some 250 classrooms in the City of San Fernando and neighboring areas with some 500 plus classrooms. The group recently opened a classroom facility in a far flung barangay in Nueva Ecija province.

Chua said that more schools will be constructed in Pampanga in the coming months. He said the barrio school program was able to spur development and quality education in areas where classrooms are constructed.

For Barangay Maliwalu, students will be able to study in the barangay and will no longer go to neighboring villages for education.