The turnover ceremonies became a community event attended by representatives from
Security Bank, Department of Education, beneficiary schools and the local government unit.

In 2011, Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI) initiated the Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project as a response to the Philippine government’s call for support to reduce the classroom shortage in the country.

Early this year, Security Bank Foundation turned over two two-storey, eight-classroom buildings to Koronadal City, one building each for Koronadal Central Elementary School I (KCES I) and Koronadal City National High School (KCNHS).  The turnover of the combined 16 classrooms to the two public schools brought the total number of SBFI’s donations to 405 classrooms, covering 83 schools in 46 cities and municipalities nationwide since the project’s inception in 2011.

The turnover ceremonies were led by Security Bank Region Head for Visayas and Mindanao Jason Ang, Area Head for Mindanao Bunny Sy and Koronadal Branch Business Manager Nolito Prudencio.  School Division Superintendent of the Department of Education Division of Koronadal City Dr. Kahar Macasayon, Al-Hadj and Koronadal City Councilor Mark Lapidez also graced the event with their presence.  KCES principal Marlou Drilon and KCNHS principal Valentin Dignadice, Jr. accepted the classrooms on behalf of the beneficiary schools.

Security Bank Mindanao Banking Center Relationship Manager Arnold Clavesillas, an alumnus of the beneficiary school KCNHS, was also present to show his support.  He said that he takes pride in being part of a company that gives back to communities, noting that there are also other Security Bank employees who graduated from KCNHS.

On behalf of Security Bank, Mr. Ang emphasized the importance of taking good care of the classrooms so that they can still be used by succeeding generations of learners.  Speaking for the beneficiaries, Mr. Dignadice of KCNHS vowed to make their students the best in their division to enable them to become productive citizens of their community in the future.  This promise was upheld by Lara Janine Reyes, a Grade 7 student of KCNHS, who was very thankful for the “gift” from Security Bank.  “Ang ganda po ng mga classrooms!  Mag-aaral po kami ng mabuti bilang kapalit.  Daghang salamat,” she said.

The parents also expressed gratitude for the classrooms which they said were very conducive to learning and quite different from what they are used to seeing in public schools in the area.  Cheryl Valencia, a teacher at KCNHS, wished more blessings for Security Bank so that they can continue to support more schools.  “On behalf of 10,000 students of Koronadal, buong pusong pasasalamat,” she expressed.  Councilor Lapidez lauded Build a School, Build a Nation: The Classrooms Project as a testament to the famous quote, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Security Bank Foundation is fully committed to continue building more classrooms in the future for public schools nationwide.  Already in the pipeline for turn over are 12 classrooms in Olongapo, eight classrooms in San Pablo, Laguna and eight classrooms in Lucena, Quezon, which will bring the total classrooms donated by the Security Bank Foundation to 433 by mid-2018.