SUBIC BAY

Subic EnerZone donates pre-school facility in Olongapo
Sep 12, 2013

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT - Subic EnerZone Corporation (SEZ), a listed corporation in this free port, donated on Wednesday a two-room pre-school facility to the Gordon Heights Elementary School (GHES) in Olongapo City.

The donation was made in line with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) program of SEZ and in corroboration with the Aklat, Gabay, Aruga tungo sa Pag-Angat at Pag-Asa (AGAPP) Foundation, said SEZ senior vice president and chief operating officer Dante Pollescas.

AGAPP 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.

The third project in Olongapo, the "Silid Pangarap" - as all AGAPP buildings are called - comes packaged with chairs, reading and instructional learning materials, audio-visual equipment, power and water supplies.

"This is purely an undertaking of private corporations committed to build classrooms and libraries in public elementary schools to prepare the children in kindergarten for school life and develop their positive attitude towards schooling," Pollescas said.

Among these corporations are the National Book Store, which donated books; Uratex for chairs and tables; and Enerzone and Aboitiz for power and water supply lines and the buildings.

GHES principal Fernando de Guzman lauded Subic EnerZone and AGAPP for the initiative, saying that the newly constructed facility would address the shortage of classrooms in the school.

"We wanted to assure the donors that we will take care of the building, so that it can be used for generations. This will benefit not only the children, but the teachers and parents as well," de Guzman said.

In year 2010, AGAPP and the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE), have formalized the partnership and launched the School Libraries cum Preschool Classroom project.

The partnership involves the construction of one-storey buildings furnished as school libraries that will also be utilized as kindergarten classrooms with accompanying age-appropriate instructional materials. It will also support teacher training and school staff development with focus on early childhood care and development and family literary.

Meanwhile, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia commended EnerZone for its undertakings that spread happiness among school children and teachers in Olongapo City.

"The project, indeed, fits together with the thrust of SBMA to help neighboring communities attain parallel development through projects that help enhance the capacities of residents," Garcia said.

Earlier this month, the SBMA through its Public Relations Department, donated school chairs, desks, and whiteboards to the Agusuhin Elementary School Annex in Subic, Zambales. (30)

News 2013