SNAP sets P1-M to fix two Benguet elementary schools

ITOGON, Benguet -- Two elementary schools, one each in the towns of Itogon and in Bokod, Benguet will get a facelift to improve the facilities following their adoption by private firm SN Aboitiz Power (SNAP).

Through a memorandum of agreement signed on Dec. 5 adopting Nawal Elementary School in Bokod town and Binga Elementary School, SNAP-Benguet committed PHP500,000 fund each for the repair and improvement of the respective schools-- rehabilitation of the roof of Nawal Elementary School and for installation of floor tiles of the Binga Elementary School’s nine classrooms.

                Lawyer Mike Hosillos, vice president for corporate communications, said on Friday the amount is a commitment to the company’s adoption of the schools. It is an add-on to the regular Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund for host local government units allotted by the company.

“The adopt-a-school budget of PHP500,000 each is under the CSR program of the company but separate from the regular local government CRS fund allocations for the host communities,” he said.

SNAP owns and operates the Binga hydroelectric power plant in Itogon and the Ambuklao hydroelectric power plant in Bokod.

Hosillos said it is the first adopt-a-school program signed by the company although the company has been participating in the annual Brigada Eskwela.

The agreement was entered into between the company represented by president and chief executive officer Joseph Yu and the Department of Education-Cordillera Administrative Region (DepEd-CAR) represented by Benilda Daytaca, officer-in-charge Schools Division Superintendent of Benguet.

Hosillos said Yu asked the DepEd to share its strategic plans for a review of the company and for possible future collaborations as he committed to continue extending assistance for the betterment of education in Benguet. (PNA)