Davao Light and Power Co. turned over last September 21 a new library hub building to the Department of Education–Davao City Division. It was built on the campus of the F. Bustamante Central Elementary School, Tibungco, Davao City.
The library hub is the first to be donated by the electric utility, but the second to be constructed in the city. The first one is located on the corner of Magallanes and Bolton Streets.
The project is part of Davao Light’s continuing support of the Department of Education’s “Adopt-a-School” program. It cost about P1.5 million, with the electric utility putting up P1.350 million. The local government unit of the city, under then mayor (now vice mayor) Rodrigo R. Duterte put in P150 thousand as counterpart.
The library hub is provided with a librarian’s office, a conference and computer room, a bookbinding room, a comfort room, and bookshelves. All windows are in steel casement and have built-in iron grills to ensure security of the books inside.
Davao Light’s executive vice president, Art M. Milan, in his turnover message told DepEd officials who came to witness the turnover that in partnering with the city government in the construction of the library hub it was guided by the company’s motto—“Passion to Serve”.
Milan said education is a primary focus of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, believing that education moulds today’s youth to become the leaders of the country in the future.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, whose speech was read by her representative Ms. Malou Bermudo, department head of the City Social Services Department, thanked the Aboitiz-owned electric company for being supportive of the cause for literacy. She cited the many city-initiated programs where the utility made its assistance readily available.
For her part, Davao City Division Superintendent Dr. Helen Paguican urged teachers, principals and supervisors of the different public elementary schools in the second district to avail of the books offered for lending at the library hub.
A library hub is a facility that serves as a warehouse for books and other supplemental reading materials that schools can borrow to augment elementary students’ reading paraphernalia.
