40 new Aboitiz AGAPP classrooms to benefit 2,400 preschoolers this year

A total of 2,400 kindergarten pupils will enjoy new classrooms this year, thanks to the 40 AGAPP (Aklat, Gabay, Aruga Tungo sa Pag-angat at Pag-asa) Silid Pangarap kindergarten classrooms recently donated by the Aboitiz Foundation, the corporate foundation of the Aboitiz Group.

These 40 classrooms, which will be built in 20 schools nationwide, were turned over to the Department of Education (DepEd) last August 24 at Enderun Colleges, Taguig City as part of the Aboitiz Foundation’s continuing commitment to Education for a BetterWorld. Since 2011, the Aboitiz Foundation and AGAPP have spent over P124 million to build 216 Silid Pangarap classrooms in 108 schools nationwide, benefitting 40,320 preschoolers.

Aboitiz Foundation Chairman Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation President Susan V. Valdez, AGAPP Chairperson Pinky Aquino-Abellada, and DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro were present during the turnover ceremony. DepEd and local government officials as well as kindergarten principals and teachers from beneficiary schools were also in attendance.

“We in the Aboitiz Foundation believe it is in education where we can create the greatest impact, which is why we do what we can to help make our youth become lifelong learners,” Aboitiz said.

Meanwhile, more AGAPP classrooms are slated to be donated by Aboitiz next year as part of the Aboitiz Group’s firm commitment to education.

“The Aboitiz Group is committed to this program; and with this in mind, today we are pledging an additional 30 classrooms to be built in 2016,” Aboitiz added.

The DepEd recognizes the Aboitiz Group as a long-standing partner in the government’s bid to uplift the state of the country’s public education system, and as the Philippines’ biggest contributor to public education.

Last year, the Aboitiz Group spent P437 million or 72% of its total CSR budget allocation – the biggest so far – to help realize its goal of achieving universal public education by establishing “BetterWorld” schools, which promise a better learning environment for students.

Established in 1988, the Aboitiz Foundation continues to pursue its mission to help people help themselves, implementing CSR interventions especially in communities where Aboitiz companies operate. The Foundation focuses its efforts on education, enterprise development, and environment but also carries out projects on health and well-being, as well as disaster preparedness and response.