Aboitiz Foundation, AGAPP turn over 21 more kinder school buildings
Manila, Philippines - The Aboitiz Foundation, in partnership with the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation, turned over 21 kindergarten school buildings to the DepEd last June 13 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao City.
Aboitiz Foundation president Jon Ramon Aboitiz and AGAPP chairperson Pinky Aquino-Abellada led the turnover ceremony with executives of Aboitiz Group companies, DepEd and LGU officials, and principals of the beneficiary schools in attendance.
Aboitiz and Aquino will also grace the turnover of buildings to the Inawayan Elementary School, Binugao Central Elementary School and Catalunan Grande Elementary School.
In 2011, the Aboitiz and AGAPP foundations established a partnership and committed to construct 67 school buildings all over the country within three years. As of Sept. 7, 2011, Aboitiz Foundation turned over 26 school buildings. The 21 additional buildings this June brings to 47 the total number turned over to beneficiary schools.
The total project cost of the 47 buildings has amounted to close to P47 million. In 2013, 20 more buildings will be constructed. Some 7,300 preschoolers will benefit from the new classrooms.
Modeled after AGAPP’s “Silid Pangarap” project, the one-story, two-classroom structure has one room intended for classes while the other one serves as a library.
On-site turnovers
The turnover ceremony at the Inawayan Elementary School and Binugao Central Elementary School will be attended by Mayor Joel Ray Lopez, DepEd officials, local barangay officials, principals, teachers and students of the beneficiary schools.
These two schools, which are located within the area of operations of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South, Inc., have inadequate rooms to accommodate students, especially those in the kindergarten level. The new classrooms will benefit 60 to 70 students every year.
Two schools located within the franchise area of another AboitizPower subsidiary, Davao Light & Power Company, were also chosen as the beneficiaries of the school buildings. These are Catalunan Grande Elementary School in Catalunan Grande, Davao City, and New Katipunan Elementary School in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Barangay Capt. Paulo Duterte, DepEd division superintendent Dr. Helen Paguican, assistant superintendent Antonia Diaz, barangay officials, and PTCA officials will attend the on-site ceremony at the Catalunan school.
