ABS-CBN and the AFP Inaugurate Classroom Building in Sorsogon

             Castilla, Sorsogon.  The ABS-CBN Foundation-Sagip Kapamilya and the Armed Forces of the Philippines inaugurated today, Sept 20, 2011, a two classroom school building in Pandan High School in Brgy Pandan, Castilla, Sorsogon Province. Leading the guests were AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo SL Oban Jr and Ms Tina Monson Palma of Sagip Kapamilya/Bantay Bata 163.

            The school building is the result of the collaboration between the Sagip Kapamilya and the AFP in their effort to help in the education of the youth. This enduring partnership has been going on for the past several years and covered many other fields. As explained by MGen Carlos Holganza of the AFP National Development Support Command, “…the ABC-CBN Sagip Kapamilya and the AFP are driven by a single common purpose, and that is to serve the less fortunate members of society.”

            The idea of a school building started a few months ago when Col Felix Castro Jr, Commander of the 903^rd Brigade of the Phil Army stationed in Castilla, visited Pandan High School and learned from Teacher-in-charge Miss Lucia Villa that they are in dire need of classrooms for their 3^rd and 4^th year students. In fact, the students were holding classes in a building which the Parents-Teachers Association helped build. Touring the school premises, Col Castro saw for himself the students crowded in a classroom with no space to freely move. The Faculty room was even smaller, filled with so many documents and books. He talked to some students and was touched by their predicament, as they related their strong desire to study.

Thus, he explored ways to help. Luckily, he was able to link-up with ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya which was only too willing to help by providing funds for the materials of a two-classroom school building. Mayor Olive Bermillo of Castilla immediately set aside funds for the labor. Also, the AFP’s 565^th Engr Battalion supervised the construction and even used its personnel to speed up construction.

In her speech during the inauguration ceremony, Ms Tina Monson Palma reiterated their commitment to promote the welfare of the youth, especially the students. “We will continue to build classrooms in areas where these are wanting, in areas where the people have shown cooperation, and in areas where the kids really want to learn”, she said. She expressed her satisfaction at the way the project turned out.

General Oban thanked ABS-CBN Sagip Kapamilya for the partnership in helping the people. Talking mostly to the students, he elaborated on the new direction being pursued by the AFP in helping in the development of the barangays through IPSP Bayanihan. “Our focus is to help improve the livelihood of your parents so that they could support your education”, he emphasized.

For her part, Mrs Villa was profuse in her gratitude for those who made the classrooms possible. “This is a gift from heaven”, she exclaimed. She said that she had no idea that her talk with Col Castro will be this fruitful. “All I wanted was a classroom so that we could decongest the present classes. Now we have more than enough”, she joyfully narrated.

Mc Jay Andrew De Mesa, a 3^rd year high school student, nervously spoke of his feelings now that their school will be able to cater to 4^th year students next school year. “My classmates and I no longer have to transfer to another school next year. We will save on money since we do not have to spend on transportation. Thanks to ABS-CBN and the soldiers.”

The additional classrooms in Pandan High School will also benefit students from four nearby barangays. Some students even come from a coastal barangay in the adjacent Magallanes municipality across Sorsogon Bay. But whatever sacrifice they had to endure, these students all share the same aspirations - “Gusto kong mag-aral.”