SM Foundation (SMFI), together with the Department of Education (DepEd) Sorsogon, recently held a virtual groundbreaking ceremony for its first school building project at Basud Elementary School (BES) in Sorsogon City and the SM’s 102nd school building nationwide.
SMFI, through its School Building Program, is an active partner of DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. This social good initiative of SM Foundation aims to promote quality public education by building classrooms nationwide.
Joji Buelvo, BES principal, said that the soon-to-be built SM school building serves as a gift and an inspiration for them.
Expressing her gratitude to SM for this initiative, Shirley Estrelles, DepEd-Sorsogon external partnerships head, said this SMFI project will highly benefit not just DepEd but the whole community of Barangay Basud especially the learners.”
In proper protective gear and while observing mandated health and safety protocols, the on-site capsule laying activity was conducted by a few representatives from DepEd, SM Prime, and the local government unit, while the rest of the attendees viewed the ceremony thru a video conferencing platform.
“This serves as a proof that we have successfully conducted this momentous occasion through the unified participation and collaboration between SMFI and DepEd amid the crisis we are currently facing,” said Antonio Jintalan, DepEd-Division of Sorsogon public schools district supervisor.
Jintalan added the pandemic should not stop them from partnering with their stakeholders for the betterment of learners, as they just need to strictly follow the health and safety protocols of the Department of Health.
He ensures the continuity of school building program and other social good efforts despite the global public health crisis.
Companies should find innovative ways in adapting to the current situation and become effective partners of the government, Jintalan stressed.
To date, SMFI continues to exert effort to adapt to the new normal.
