CEBU, Philippines - Aboitiz Equity Ventures food subsidiary, Pilmico Foods Corporation, has turned over Php25-million worth of four new school buildings in Iligan City, its biggest Corporate Social Responsibility project to date.
The school buildings, each having six classrooms, were built inside the Bayanihan sa Iligan Village in Barangay Sta. Elena, a relocation site identified by the Iligan City Government for residents who were hit hardest by Sendong two years ago. A total of 1,711 houses to accommodate the same number of families were also built inside the 15.9-hectare village.
While efforts to rebuild the city have been in full swing since late 2011, Pilmico has given its biggest contribution yet to aiding the process.
“Students from three barangays in Iligan City that were hit by Typhoon Sendong no longer have to worry about having a place to stay or traveling far only to study in congested classrooms,†said Pilmico President & CEO Sabin Aboitiz.
After flashfloods washed away and damaged the schools in Barangays Hinaplanon, Santiago, Sta. Filomena and Bayug Island, a sitio of Hinaplanon, the students were forced to attend classes in the already congested schools in other barangays.
In some schools, fixtures and furnishings were being used by evacuees. When the students and their families were relocated to the Bayanihan sa Iligan Village, they had to travel about 10-12 kilometers just to be able to go to school.
“This underlying need to provide convenience and comfort to the students is the reason Pilmico is building this school. The quality of education that the children will be getting is at stake if this is not remedied,â€Aboitiz said.
“We are doing this to show our commitment to Iligan, the place we have been calling home for the last 50 years,†he concluded.
The school building project is in partnership with Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the social development arm of the Aboitiz Group, which celebrates its 25th year of helping people help themselves. (FREEMAN)