Photo Caption: Security Bank officers, together with its partners from the local government and educational institutions in Olongapo, formally opens the new classroom building in Gordon Heights I Elementary School. Meanwhile, a two-storey, eight-classroom building was turned over to Olongapo City National High School.

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) continues its investment in education by helping the government address classroom shortage in public schools through its Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project.  Beginning with its commitment in 2011 to construct 60 classrooms over a period of five years, SBFI has exceeded its initial target and has turned over 417 classrooms nationwide, with Olongapo City receiving 12 new classrooms.

A two-storey, four-classroom building was inaugurated in Gordon Heights I Elementary School (GHIES) while a two-storey, eight-classroom building was turned over to Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS).  Both school buildings were built to provide conducive learning facilities for 7,000 learners in Olongapo City.

Officers from Security Bank were present during the inauguration headed by SBFI Chairman Rafael F. Simpao, Jr., Olongapo Branch Business Manager Homer Guerrero and Subic Branch Business Manager Amalia Trinidad.  Partners from local government and educational institutions also graced the event led by Olongapo City Councilor Benjamin Cajudo, Department of Education Division of Olongapo City Schools Division Superintendent Bernadette Tamayo, Ateneo Center for Educational Development Executive Director Dr. Carmela Oracion, GHIES Principal Nestor Balois and OCNHS Principal Eva Unay.

The school principal of GHIES welcomed the guests with Security Bank’s own slogan, “You deserve better!”  He stated that if he would be allowed to change it, he would say, “Security Bank, you are the BEST!” He added that “Wala akong ibang alam na banko na may ganitong proyekto.  Bukod tangi ang Security Bank.”

Security Bank Subic Branch Business Manager Amalia Trinidad happens to be an alumna of OCNHS, one of the beneficiary schools.  “It made me prouder to work in Security Bank.  At least, before I retire, I was able to see this gift of Security Bank to my own community”, she conveyed.

Sixteen classrooms have already been constructed in Lucena, Quezon and San Pablo, Laguna while another 110 classrooms are slated for construction in various cities and municipalities.  Security Bank Foundation will continue to invest in more classrooms nationwide.  Security Bank is committed to be a partner in securing a better tomorrow for the next generation of Filipinos through better education.  That’s BetterBanking.

Recently, Build A School, Build A Nation: The Classrooms Project received an Award of Merit under the Corporate Social Responsibility category from The Philippine Quill Awards, the country’s most prestigious awards program in the field of business communication.