Aboitiz, AGAPP to build classrooms for Olongapo school

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SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2011 23:36 HENRY EMPEÑO / CORRESPONDENT

OLONGAPO CITY—The Aboitiz Foundation has committed to build two classrooms at the Kalalake Elementary School in this city in support of a program by the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa (AGAPP) Foundation to build some 100 classrooms throughout the country.

Aboitiz representatives signed on Friday a memorandum of agreement with officials of the Department of Education here, pledging a total of P963,000 for the construction of the two classrooms.

Warell Kern Sario, general manager of the Aboitiz-owned Subic Enerzone Corp., which operates the power distribution system in the Subic Bay Freeport, said project construction will start next week “to make sure that the timetable of both Aboitiz and AGAPP will be met.”

Jesusima Facal, officer in charge of Kalalake Elementary School, said the classrooms will be used for the school’s Center for Excellence program, which benefits poor but gifted schoolchildren.

“We are very happy to be the recipient of such a wonderful gift from AGAPP and Aboitiz Foundation,” Facal said during the signing ceremony.

According to AGAPP coordinator Benjamin Antonio III, who is also a director at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, the Olongapo project completes the commitment of AGAPP Foundation to facilitate the building of 100 classrooms in various areas of the country.

AGAPP, which is headed by presidential sister Pinky Aquino-Abellada, has committed to build classrooms and libraries in public elementary schools located in depressed or disadvantaged communities, tapping private companies and other foundations for support as part of their corporate social responsibility.

AGAPP also seeks to provide books and other educational materials, and to further train teachers to enhance their skills in story telling, among others.