Students of Mandaue Comprehensive National High School receives the symbolic key of 45 classrooms and 8 laboratories from Aboitiz Foundation represented by Jaime Jose Aboitiz, trustee Aboitiz Foundation (3rd from left) Susan Valdez AFI president and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and DepEd director Dr Carmelita Dulangon. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
ABOUT 45 classrooms and eight new laboratories worth P54 million were turned over to eight schools in Mandaue City and one school in Lapu-Lapu City by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) in simple rites yesterday.
Education, school, RAFI and city officials attended the turnover held at the Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School (MCCNHS).
The MCCNHS has a new three story building with 15 classrooms and one laboratory.
“Our top priority is education-related projects because we believe this is where we can create the greatest impact,” Jaime Jose Aboitiz, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power Distribution Group said.
Prior to the turnover, MCCNHS Asst. Principal Kenn Marzado said the new building can help narrow down their teacher-student ratio from 1 to 65 to 1 to 45.
Rehabilitation
Other beneficiaries include the Banilad High School, Subangdaku Elementary School, Cabancalan 2 Elementary School, Cubacub Elementary School, Mandaue City Science National High School, Jagobiao National High School, Cabancalan National High School all in Mandaue City and Babag National High School of Lapu-Lapu City.
Regional Director Dr. Carmelita Dulangon of the Department of Education (DepEd-Central Visayas) called on local school officials and students to help preserve the donated school facilities.
The Aboitiz Foundation is also stepping up its support for science and technical-vocational high schools nationwide in response to the government’s call for science-based skills specialization among young students.
Aboitiz said the foundation is on track with its commitment to help repair and build new classrooms in northern Cebu, a project launched last April.
It is part of their Bangon Visayas Campaign to help in the rehabilitization of Yolanda-affected communities. They expect to complete 200 classrooms in November which will benefit 29,000 students. /With Intern Maeine R. Mosquite