Aboitiz Foundation donates buildings to Mandaue schools

MANILA, Philippines - Students of two elementary schools in Mandaue City now have a conducive place for learning after the Aboitiz Foundation recently donated to each school a three-story, three-classroom building.

The donations to the Canduman and Pagsabungan elementary schools are part of the foundation’s commitment to help address the lack of educational infrastructure in public schools in the country.

“We continue to fulfill our mission of helping people help themselves by implementing projects that will improve the quality of (their) lives. We in Aboitiz strongly believe that the business sector plays a role in helping and assisting in the social development projects of our people and in partnership (among) business, the city government and barangays,” said Aboitiz Foundation president Jon Ramon Aboitiz in his speech during the buildings’ turnover.

The foundation has already donated 238 classrooms benefiting at least 20,000 students.

In accepting the donations, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said, “Mandaue City has been blessed with the magic of the Aboitiz Foundation by being a consistent recipient of their projects.”

Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd), the schools and the two barangays similarly expressed their gratitude for the donations.

Also in attendance during the turnover were Romy Ronquillo, Aboitiz Foundation board trustee; Sonny Carpio, Aboitiz Foundation executive vice president and managing trustee; Dr. Nimfa Bongo, DepEd Mandaue City Division assistant superintendent; Alejandro Lamdagan, Pag-sabungan Elementary School principal; Mrs. Maria Alao, Canduman Elementary School principal; and city and barangay officials.

Aside from donating classrooms and school buildings, the Aboitiz Foundation provides other education-related assistance. It has so far donated 972 computer units with licenses and printers to public schools nationwide and has refurbished 57 computer laboratories.

The foundation also funds a training program for teachers to improve their computer literacy skills.