One Network Bank (ONB), the widest rural banking network in the Philippines, turned over new 2-classroom buildings in three Region XII public schools last July 11. The donation was made possible through ONB’s partnership with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Adopt-A-School Program. The program allows business groups, NGOs and civil society groups to adopt any public school of their choice anywhere in the country.
Donors provide each adopted school with the necessary support and resource mobilization in many areas, including infrastructure, facilities support, teaching and skill development, monitoring and evaluation, learning support, providing computer and science laboratory equipment, as well as food and nutrition.
The first building was turned over to Ms. Imelda Bajada, teacher In-charge of Asuncion Elementary School in Makilala, North Cotabato with 111 students and only three classrooms prior to ONB’s donation.
The next turnover was made in Magon Elementary School of Tantangan, South Cotabato with 103 students and only two classrooms before the ONB donation. Teacher In-charge,Manuel Garlit accepted the donation.
Principal Soledad Yusay accepted the turned over building in Dalangdang Elementary School of Malungon, Sarangani Province with 275 students and only five classrooms before the donation.
Each of the 2-classroom buildings is complete with essential classroom facilities and equipments, such as comfort room, armchairs, blackboards, teacher’s table and chairs.
At the all-day turnover ceremony were ONB executive committee president Alex V. Buenaventura, Antonio P. Avelino, vice-chairman and board director Antonio R. Cabreira, Jr. along with ONB officers, DepEd Region 12 officials, LGU representatives and other guests.
The construction of these new school buildings, each worth around Php 750,000 each, is ONB’s continuing undertaking to help alleviate the country’s classroom shortage especially in far flung localities in the poorer regions of Mindanao, a reinforcement of its Corporate Social Responsibility by providing educational support and development to the communities it serves. [Suey Asuncion]
