In preparation for the upcoming school year, SM Prime, in collaboration with SM Foundation, handed over a fully furnished two-story building to the President Manuel Roxas Memorial Integrated School-South in Roxas City, Western Visayas.
This marks the 104th school building to result from this partnership, and it has been constructed in strict accordance with the Department of Education's (DepEd) specifications. The building boasts four classrooms, each fully equipped with desks, chairs, toilets per classroom, and a dedicated restroom for persons with disabilities on the ground floor.
Furthermore, the building is equipped with concave blackboards, electric fans, and LED lighting. Emergency lighting has also been installed in the stairways to ensure preparedness for any emergencies.
In line with DepEd's commitment to providing students with access to water for hygiene and sanitation, SM Foundation has installed a handwashing facility complete with liquid soap for the community's use.
As an additional commitment, the SM group will be actively involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the school.
It's worth noting that DepEd recently reported that approximately 21 million students have enrolled for the school year 2023-2024. However, out of more than 300,000 school buildings, only slightly over 100,000 are in good condition.
Recognizing the transformative power of education in uplifting communities, SM Foundation has been a dedicated participant in DepEd's Adopt-a-School Program since 2002. Over the years, they have contributed over 100 school buildings to grassroots communities nationwide through this program, aiming to alleviate overcrowding in schools and create conducive learning environments.
