SMDC donates schoolhouses in Gen. Trias

MANILA, Philippines - Gen. Trias in Cavite is the recipient of schoolbuildings donated by SM Development Corp. through the SM Foundation.

SMDC’s VP Jose Gabionza, Lynn Sy of Summerhills Homes Development and Debbie Sy, executive director of SM Foundation turned over a two-classroom schoolbuilding in Pasong Kawayan I to local government officials led by Mayor Luis Ferrer and Congressman Antonio Ferrer, DepEd officials and school officials headed by school principal Anicia Cupino. At the well-attended ceremonies, Cupino said she “felt so relieved of the additional classrooms to house 622 elementary pupils from K-6 which means that Grade 2 pupils will no longer go on two-shifts.” “The donation will likewise reduce the 50/classroom ratio presently being adapted in the school.”

Aside from the fully equipped classroom, computers were also donated by the SM Foundation as well as textbooks in partnership with Children International.

The Manggahan Elementary School, also in Gen. Trias was the 2nd schoolhouse turned over by SMDC and SMFI to school officials, again witnessed by the LGU and DepEd officials. The more populated school with 1,400 students and manned by 24 teachers are on two shifts, including the newly-enrolled Kindergarten pupils. A unique feature of the school is the inclusion of 105 SPED pupils, handled by five specially-trained teachers including their principal, Dr. Helen Mendoza. These teachers go on regular SPED trainings, the most recent of which was a training program held in Davao City.

In a specially-prepared program honoring the benefactors and guests of the school, pupils with disabilities like autism, intellectually and learning disabled, hearing impaired and those afflicted with Down syndrome performed a song number that greatly warmed the hearts of the audience. Dr. Mendoza also explained that classes for the blind are also held in the school utilizing the Braille method as well as classes for gifted children. Mendoza said the donation is “timely as the enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds, growing from a satellite school of the Buenavista Elementary School to a regular elementary school servicing the educational needs of the entire barangay.”

As in all SM schoolhouse donations, desks, teachers’ tables and chairs, wall fans, blackboards and complete toilet facilities are provided for. Books and computers are also part of the donation. SM Foundation has a maintenance program for all donated schoolbuildings.

The 3rd schoolhouse inaugurated was the Pasong Kawayan 11 Elementary School located in a 1,005 sq. meter lot in Pamayanang Maliksi with a school population of 793 pupils with eight classroom on two shifts although the newly-opened Kindergarten with 89 pupils are on three shifts.