SM and BDO foundations donate school building in Passi City

Ms. Maureen Abelardo, BDO Foundation President and Ms. Debbie Sy, SM Foundation Inc. Executive Director(3rdand 4th from left,respectively), leads the formal ribbon cutting with Passi City officials  and other VIPs

SM Foundation together with BDO Foundation turned-over a two-storey, 4-classroom building at the Efraim Santibañez National High School in Brgy. Sto. Tomas, Passi City, Iloilo. The ceremony was held last Jan. 15, 2016 with the presence of Passi City LGU ans school officials as well as representatives of the two foundations.

The 2-storey 4 classroom building donated by BDO and SM Foundations to Efraim Santebañez National Highschool in Passi City, Iloilo

SM and BDO Foundations responded to the DepEd's plea for help from private organizations to help rebuild schools that have been damaged by killer typhoon Yolanda back in 2013. While some initial repairs were done by LGUs, many of the buildings were beyond repair.

The school building complete with toilets and furniture was turned over in the presence of the donors - Maureen Abelardo, President of BDO Foundation ,Ms. Debbie Sy, Executive Director of SM Foundation, Carmen Linda Atayde, Exec. Director for Education of SMFI and Engr. Gilbert Domingo,  Mall Manager  of SM City Iloilo  representing SM Prime Holdings, Inc. 

 Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares, SMFI Executive Director Debbie Sy and BDO Foundation President Maureen Abelardo during the MOA signing

The recipient school was represented by Head Teacher & School Principal, Nelson Palma of Efraim Santebañez National High School witnessed by local and DepEd officials.

SM City Iloilo PR Manager Troy Camarista with graduating scholars of SMFI Annie Ross Sarroza, Jasmine Joy Cang and Gladys Pumarin. (Inset) SM Supermalls Regional Marketing Manager Kristine Yap

Also present during the turn-over was Passi Iloilo Mayor Jesry Palmares, Vice Mayor Bonifacio Barbero and other city officials, SMFI Assistant Vice President Eleonor Lansang SM Regional Marketing Manager Kristine Yap and SM City Iloilo PR Manager Troy Camarista. 

The property where the school stands, is a donation of the Santibanez family of Passi City. The new structure is another addition to school buildings contributed  by  SM  Foundation and partners  to the Adopt-A-School  Program  of  the Department of Education.