Aboitiz undertakes rewiring of public schools in Mandaue

CEBU, Philippines- The Aboitiz Foundation in partnership with the city government of Mandaue is undertaking a rewiring program in all public schools in the city to replace substandard electrical connection as a way of protecting their school building program.

This was revealed by Ricardo Lacson, Jr., vice president for administration and customer service group of the Aboitiz-owned Visayan Electric Company (VECO) during the turnover of the P1.2M three classroom-school building for more than 100 grade one pupils of Leonard Wood Elementary School in Eversley Sanitarium compound, Barangay Jagobiao, Mandaue City.

Lacson said the Aboitiz Foundation of the Aboitiz Group of Companies has given education as the number one priority in their corporate social responsibility program the reason why they partner with the city for the construction of school buildings and donating computers and library kits, among others.

However, he added, they have found out that many school buildings have substandard electrical wires which can trigger a fire thus putting their project in a very high risk.

Under this program, VECO has just completed the rewiring of Tipolo Elementary School.

"We hope that through our program the performance of the students will be improved, the basis for more projects," said Lacson during the turnover ceremony.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes for his part said education is the number one program of his administration because this is the lasting legacy that parents can give to their children.

To improve quality education in public schools, he said, he has implemented ever since the Public-Private Partnership program in solving the perennial problem of classroom shortage.

"I thank the Aboitizes for their great contribution," he said, adding that his administration is always ready to share their counterpart.

Under the PPP program with Aboitiz Foundation, the city shares the 30 percent cost of the project.

Vicenta Mejias, president of the school's Parents-Teachers Association said the turn-over of the classrooms is very timely for the opening of classes.

"Our children can now enjoy the comforts of a classroom, and we will convert this to excellent grades" she added

Eric Ching, manager, community relations department of VECO said the donated classrooms are "A" class, each equipped with environment friendly CFL lights, wall fans and comfort rooms and can accommodate 50 pupils.

He added as a bonus, they will shoulder the cost of 150 desks.

The turnover of the new classrooms improved the standing of the school from number one in terms of classroom-student ratio to the tail end of the list, said Joverlie Canoy, principal of the 800-strong school.

City Schools Division Superintendent Virginia Zapanata in response to the challenge of Lacson to take care of the facility urged the teachers and students to maximize the use of the various facilities.

The Aboitizes for their part, will continue to build more classrooms and partner with the local government units, said Sebastian Lacson.

Aboitiz donates classrooms for Jagobiao pupils

Finally after many years, the Leonard Wood (Jagobiao) Elementary School in Mandaue City has found a solution to their perennial problem of classroom shortage.

The 800 student population of the school used to share the eight classrooms at the ratio of 1 is to 89 making it the number one public school in Mandaue City in terms of classroom shortage.

But with the donation of three new classrooms by Aboitiz Foundation and another additional two from the Department of Education and Jolibee, the students will now enjoy the comforts of a school and the ratio will be reduced to 1 is to 51.

Joverlie Canoy, principal of the school located within the Eversley Childs Sanitarium compound in Barangay Jagobiao said the donation of three classroom by the Aboitiz Foundation is in time for the opening of the school year in June. The two additional classrooms will be finished very soon also in time for the opening.

The said school was set up in 1920's by Gov. General Leonard Wood. He also facilitated for American philanthropist Eversley Childs to set up a sanitarium for lepers.

The Aboitiz Foundation represented by Ricardo Lacson, Vice-President for Administration and Customer Service Group of Aboitiz-owned Visayan Electric Company (VECO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement yesterday with Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes for the P1.2million classroom project wherein 30 percent of the cost or P337, 575 was shouldered by the City Government of Mandaue.

The three classrooms replaced the dilapidated Bagong Lipunan Classrooms constructed in the 1980s and which posed danger to the 150 grade one pupils.

Each of the classrooms is equipped with electric fan and comfort room with coloroof roofing and steel trashes.

Cortes has strengthened the city's partnership with various non-government organizations like Aboitiz Foundation in solving the perennial problem of classroom shortage.

"I thank the Aboitiz group of companies for their magnanimity in heart for our public school students in Mandaue," said Cortes.

Also witnessing the signing were Mandaue City Schools Assistant Superintendent Nimfa Bongo, Clementito Curva of Curva Construction, project contractor and city councilors headed by Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede. (PR)