Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) donates a two-story, eight-classroom school building to Valencia City Central School, becoming the first private donor of classrooms in Valencia, Bukidnon. The school is prominently located along the Sayre Highway, a national highway connecting Cagayan De Oro City, Bukidnon Province and North Cotabato Province.
“This school building donation answers for the 64% of our classroom shortage for this school. The commitment of Security Bank Foundation to invest in the future of our city warms our hearts,” said Valencia City Mayor Hon. Azucena Huervas.
SBFI has already provided much-needed classrooms in 134 schools nationwide, where 20 are central elementary schools and 18 are central national high schools. The Foundation acknowledges the role of central schools in providing easy access to education to their city/municipality’s young population.
“Our objective is to leave no Valencianos behind, which the SBFI supports through its donation of a conducive learning environment for our youth. This initiative aligns with our duty to educate them, recognizing that they represent the hope of our nation,” said Department of Education Valencia City Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Jesnar Dems Torres.
In addition to the infrastructure donation, SBFI has deepened its commitment to improving education quality by investing in the professional development of beneficiary schools’ teachers.
English Teacher Armelyn Nahini and Mathematics Teacher Jeanelyn Macalan of Valencia City Central School were admitted in 2023 to a specialized 3-year training in collaboration with Ateneo de Manila University. The training focuses on equipping teachers in the Visayas and Mindanao region with skills in crafting 21st-century model lesson plans, developing effective assessments for both challenged and advanced learners, and engaging stakeholders to help improve students’ academic performance.
The donation to Valencia City Central School marks SBFI’s 761st classroom contribution across 78 cities and municipalities nationwide. During the turnover ceremony, SBFI Chairman Rafael Simpao, Jr. noticed that many of the school’s other classrooms were dilapidated. He then challenged the Mayor to have the LGU repair and upgrade these classrooms. The Mayor accepted the challenge.
Furthermore, SBFI Chairman’s affirmed the Foundation’s enduring commitment to education stating: “As we travel around the country, we still see a lot of students holding classes in dilapidated, makeshift, and/or unsafe classrooms. For this reason, SBFI shall continue to holistically improve education nationwide as long as the Security Bank Group of companies continues to do well.”
To learn more about Security Bank Foundation’s projects and how you can contribute, visit www.securitybank.com/foundation.
