SM and Deutsche Bank build 2 schoolhouses for Taytay

MANILA, Philippines - Consistent with its commitment of helping marginalized Filipinos, SM Group of Companies through its socio civic arm, the SM Foundation, continuously extends its assistance to the government’s education projects by initiating several programs to help improve the quality of education. Its Donate–A-Book program has enabled more fortunate individuals to help public schools, day care centers and community libraries acquire more books and reading materials. Its College Scholarship program has given substance to the dreams of many poor but deserving public high school graduates to acquire higher education and be of help to their families. Another program is the renovation and construction of schoolbuildings to address the shortage of classrooms in the public school system.

Recently, two public schools in Taytay, Rizal — Sitio Tapayan Elementary School and Manuel I. Santos Memorial High School — became beneficiaries of SM schoolbuildings. Construction was undertaken by SM Prime Holdings in collaboration with Deutsche Bank Ag Manila Branch. A two-story four-classroom edifice was donated to the Manuel I. Santos Memorial National High School. Included in the donation package are 200 armchairs, four sets of teacher’s table and chair, wall fans, blackboards, toilet facilities and high school books. Sitio Tapayan Elementary School’s new schoolhouse on the other hand is a one-story two-classroom building.

Present at the inauguration and turnover ceremonies of the Manuel I. Santos Memorial National High School were Principal I Celestino Santiago, Division of Rizal Asst. Schools Division Superintendent Rommel Bautista, Taytay Vice Mayor Janet Mercado, Councilors DI Cayton and Tasyo Alcantara, Barangay Captains Chito Esguerra (San Isidro) and Joseph Alcantara (San Juan), SM City Taytay mall manager Allan Brosas, Deutsche Bank Ag Manila Branch country chief officer Enrico S. Cruz, and SM Foundation executive director for health and medical programs Connie Angeles.

Those who graced the inauguration of the Sitio Tapayan Elementary School aside from Connie Angeles and Allan Brosas were Principal I Dr. Armando Ponce, Division of Rizal Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Aurea Sto. Domingo, Deutsche Bank Ag Manila Branch director head, asset management Manny Malabanan, Deutsche Bank Ag Manila Branch vice president, asset management Maite Toledo, Kristine Lenon of SM City Taytay; and the principals from various elementary schools in Taytay.

With the continued support SM is extending to public schools, the objective of schools like Manuel I. Santos National High School and Sitio Tapayan Elementary School which is to produce responsible and productive individuals by providing basic quality education is attainable.